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Rhododendron colemanii: Red Hills Azalea Discovered Growing Wild in Alabama

Recently I learned of a newly discovered deciduous azalea native to Georgia and Alabama called the Red Hills Azalea. Rhododendron colemanii 'Red Hills' is a wild azalea that grows in the Red Hills region of South Alabama and eastward barely into Georgia along the Chattahoochee River. This newly discovered species is one of the tallest, most richly colored, and most fragrant of all the native azaleas. The late blooming flowers (usually May) can be any color from pure white to deep pink or even yellow or orange.

Red Hills azalea seems to prefer cooler bottomlands near creeks and streams. I'd suggest siting this plant in the shade of tall hardwoods and providing regular water.

If you're looking to add to your collection of rare native azaleas, you'll want to check out this one. To purchase this plant, click here.

Alabama Azalea

Lovely white blooms in April have a spicy lemon scent. The Alabama Azalea is native to East Alabama. A native plant rarely found in the wild, Alabama Azalea is is usually found growing in poor, rocky soil. The Rhododendron Alabamense is a hardy, drought tolerant native azalea that will grow well anywhere in the Southeastern United States.

Blooms are white with a yellow blotch. Too bad computers don't have 'scratch & sniff', because the blooms smell so good--kind of lemony and spicy!

Alabama Azalea is hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.

Plant Sale Benefit for East Alabama Food Bank Sunday April 19, 2009

If you're anywhere close to the Auburn, Alabama, area, you won't want to miss this plant sale! It's for a good cause--all proceeds go directly to feeding those in need. Red Bee Balm (monarda didyma) shown in the above photo is one of many plants for a hummingbird garden that are for sale at the Gardener’s Plant Sale.

More than 250 plant varieties will be offered. Most of the plants were grown from seed and cannot be found anywhere else!

The plant sale will be held Sunday afternoon, April 19, 2009. For complete information as well as a map to help you find the sale, please visit http://gardenersplantsale.org/.