Re: Azaleas, Rhododendrons
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Azaleas, Rhododendrons
- From: D* N*
- Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 10:14:28 -0400
- Importance: Normal
Bobbi,
Local chapters of the American Rhododendron Society keep a good do'ers list.
It would pay for you to get in touch with your local chapter and get their
local list. They also have plant swaps and auctions. They also publish a
great Journal.
Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: PRIMROSES [s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU]On Behalf Of
Bobbi Diehl
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2000 8:27 AM
To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
Subject: Re: [SG] Azaleas, Rhododendrons
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.
>
