Georgia has many great shrubs to plant in any area or landscape. Some of these native Rhododendrons are southern staples that are common in people’s gardens. These Rhododendrons are some of the great natives that you’ll love for your low maintenance.
Rhododendron arborescens (Pursh) Torr. (Sweet Azalea, Smooth Azalea, Azalea arborescens)
This shrub grows to eight to 12 feet tall and prefers partial shade with well-drained, moist, acidic soil. She is a fast farmer. The flowers are fragrant white or bluish/pinkish in three flowers in late spring. Its green leaves will turn red in shine in the fall. You can propagate this by seed. WARNING: The plant is poisonous from the toxin andromedotoxin.
Rhododendron austrinum (Small) Rehder (Florida Azalea, Yellow Azalea, Azalea austrina)
This fragrant bush is from the myrtle family and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. It is born eight feet 10 and two feet wide. The flowers are golden-yellow tube-like flowers, having a reddish base. The leaves are alternate and two to five inches long with a medium green color. Prefers light, well-drained acidic soil with partial sun. To propagate the seed. It is believed to be one of the easiest native rhododendrons to grow.
Rhododendron calendulaceum (Michx.) Torr. (Flame Azalea, Azalea calendulacea, Yellow Azalea)
This shrub grows to a height of six to eight meters at the same width. it likes partial shade and moist, well-drained acidic soil. Its red, golden, yellow fragrant flowers flowers will appear in many winter to early spring. It blooms in clusters and funnel-like. The leaves are medium green and deciduous. Too much shade will diminish the blooms in this one. It needs average water. You can propagate this by seed. WARNING: Parts are poisonous if ingested due to the andromedotoxin toxin.
Rhododendron canescens (Michx.) Suavis (Mountain Azalea, Wild Azalea, Piedmont Azalea)
This deciduous azalea grows six to 15 meters tall and produces beautiful pink flowers in early spring. It prefers well-drained acidic, but not lime, soil and partial shade. To propagate the seed. WARNING: Parts are poisonous if ingested due to the andromedotoxin toxin.
Rhododendron catawbiense Michx. (Catawba Rosebay)
This shrub rises to six to 10 meters high and has six to eight feet. Prefers light shade and acidic soils. The leaves are bundled and thick. It has shiny evergreen leaves and average water needs. There are pink, red, or purple trumpet flowers in the spring. It is the most common native azalea of the Southeast. WARNING: Parts poisonous if ingested.
Rhododendron maximum L. (Laurus magna, Rhododendron Wild, Rosebay Rhododendron, Laurus alba, Rhododendron ashleyi)
A family members, the large laurel is an evergreen shrub/small tree that has branches and a curved trunk. The flowers are large, bell-like, pink or white and come in June. Large laurel grows four to 15 meters tall in the northern state but can be up to 30 meters tall in the south. The leaves are leathery-like and blue-green. It is unique and prefers moist or moist soils with partial acidity. To propagate the seed. Rhododendron is a very hardy species. WARNING: All parts are poisonous and should not be consumed by humans or animals.
Rhododendron periclymenoides (Michx.) Shinners (Pink Azalea, Pinxterflower, Rhododendron nudiflorum)
This shrub grows to a height of six to 12 feet and a spread of three to eight feet. It likes a partial moist and acidic soil. fragrant funnel-shaped rose has flowers in mid-spring to early summer. It blooms in clusters. Its deciduous leaves are leathery and medium green in color. It’s a good solid azalea blooms and picked leaves. To propagate the seed. It is susceptible to dieback, chlorosis from high pH, and leaf burn. WARNING: Parts poisonous if ingested.
Rhododendron vaseyi Gray (Pinkshell Azalea)
A member of the heather family, pink azalea grows five to 15 feet tall with an open growth pattern. The flowers come before the leaves and are not tubular like most azaleas. The flower colors will range from pink to white and will have a yellow throat, turning green in April. The leaves are medium green in colors and turn red in the fall. prefers shade and moist, acidic soil well-drained. Propagate by seed. It is not drought tolerant and cannot hybridize with other Rhododendrons.
