Azaleas have an Encore
Growing Azaleas is a tradition in the deep-south but can be challenging for gardeners farther north. Many azaleas available are descended from Asian shrubs originally cultivated by Buddhist monks. Their plant family includes heath, rhododendrons, blueberries and pieris. Introduced in Holland in 1680 as Indian azaleas, the original hybrids were greenhouse plants in Europe, and were first planted in Charleston SC in 1848. In addition, there are twenty-six Azalea species that are native to North America. Azaleas are divided into two categories: Evergreen and deciduous (the ones that lose their leaves in the winter). Deciduous Azaleas are North American natives and their hybrids. Their leaves can be as large as 6-inches and the flowers range from white to purple, pink, red, orange and yellow. Evergreen Azaleas are from Asia. Their leaves are as small as ¼ inch and the flower colors include white, purple, pink, red, and red-orange but not yellow. The flowers can be...