Re: Azaleas, Rhododendrons

Bobbi,

I don't know what kind of "look" you are going for, but have you tried any
of the R. species/near species?  After twenty years growing various hybrids
from this or that breeder, plus a brief love affair with the Exbury
Hybrids, I tried a couple of species azaleas (Rhododendrons) and have never
looked back. I am presently replacing all the standards with natives as my
back and Checkbook will allow.

Advantages include long bloom season (by using different species),
fragrance (not universal, but present with many of them), color range,
toughness and airy appearance. Disadvantages are few..Most are deciduous,
which you may not want, and they do have a tendency to go dormant early if
weather is very dry. Flowers are often smaller than the "standard" azalea.

My favorites at the moment are R. prunifolium, which blooms in August and
makes the garden look like it's on fire, and one called "Hot Ginger and
Dynamite," which I believe is a cross between two natives (R. viscosum and
one other, maybe?). The latter I got from Carlson's Gardens many years ago.
It blooms in late May with loose panicles of 4 inch tubular flowers, white
with long red stamens, and is intensely fragrant. Unfortunately, Carlson's
no longer lists it, but there are others that are just as lovely, I think.

Gerry



At 03:35 PM 10/20/00 -0500, you wrote:
>Greetings,
>
>Can anyone recommend some nurseries in the Midwest (mailorder or to visit)
>that carry a good selection of azaleas and rhododendrons? I am
>particularly interested in the Mezitt/Weston hybrids but also in whatever
>else does well in this area. Also, are there any Midwesterners out there
>who have particular favorites (either varieties or types) that they would
>recommend to me? I have read the catalogs from back east and their plants
>look tempting, but I know that our conditions here are very different. I
>have had bad luck with K-Mart azaleas as well as with a rhodo purchased
>from a locally owned nursery that I was assured was foolproof.
>
>This is for a new azalea/rhodo bed we plan to put in next spring.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Bobbi Diehl
>Bloomington, IN
>zone 5/6
>
Oak Ridge, TN
Z7b
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