Re: Azaleas, Rhododendrons
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Azaleas, Rhododendrons
- From: B* D*
- Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 07:27:09 -0500
Gerry, I'm mostly looking for any that will do well for me in my area--and
bloom. I really don't care if they are deciduous or evergreen. If the
species do well, my only question is where can I purchase them--preferably
somewhere I can drive to? Where is Carlson's? What other nurseries do you
recommend?, if any? Why was your love affair with Exburys "brief"? Will
rhododendrons that grow for you in zone 7 grow for me?
Hoping for more info,
Bobbi Diehl
Bloomington, IN
zone 5/6
On Sat, 21 Oct 2000, Gerry/Bob O'Neill wrote:
> 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.
>
