The Native Azalea
Azaleas are a common plant that grace many yards in the south, from Texas to Florida and up to North Carolina. Their showy flowers emerge sometimes for weeks on end, adding beautiful color and reminding us that Spring is in full swing.
Despite their popularity, many are unaware of the fact that the majority of azaleas in southern landscapes are non-native, instead being brought over from Asia.
Does Native Matter
Yes.
Native plants have evolved specifically with their environment over a period of time, typically hundreds of years. Each plant has unique features for wildlife to feed and make shelter from. While some plants, like oak trees, may support hundreds to thousands of wildlife species, other plants may only support a small handful.
By replacing our native species with an equivalent non-native, in this case the Asian azalea, we may be harming the surrounding environment by diminishing food and shelter options for species that rely on our native varieties.
Native vs Non-native
Native
The native azalea is a deciduous shrub, losing its leaves every winter, with an upright growth habit. There are 17 species of native azaleas in North America and they are divided into three groups- white, pink, and orange-red. With a wide variety of growing conditions, some grow great near streams and swamps, while others prefer it high and dry. While the majority prefer part shade, some can handle full sun.
In Florida, there are 3-5 varieties that grow great in our climate (depending on which source you ask). All of the varieties in Florida prefer part shade as full sun can scorch the leaves of the plant and full shade can make them more leggy. Most azaleas in Florida are found on forest/wood edges where the shadows meet the sun.
Gibbs Garden outside Atlanta is a great place to visit to view native and non native azaleas in contrast with each other.
Many of the native species in North America are very fragrant, something that is lacking from the hybridized varieties of the non-native. Piedmont Azalea Rhododendron canescens, Florida Azalea Rhododendron austrinum and Swamp Azalea Rhododendron viscosum are three Florida natives known to have fragrant blooms. Each of these varieties will bloom at different times throughout the spring.
Native azaleas have a slightly longer, more tubular flower shape that helps to attract hummingbirds to them. The pistols and stamens coming out of the flower are longer and more showy than the non-native.
Non Native
It may surprise many to find out that the majority of azaleas (those that are evergreen) have originated from Japan. Today, over 10,000 hybrid varieties have been made from the original varieties that were first introduced throughout Asia before they made their way to the Americas. A common hybrid name that is sold in many nurseries and big box stores come from the hybrid group Encore.
Along with being evergreen, the non-native species have a mounding growth habit. They are typically used as ornamental hedges and shrubs, pruned multiple times a year to maintain a rounded shape and to help increase flowering (as they flower on new growth). The flowers found on non-native azaleas lack fragrance as this has been lost through hybridization.
The pistols and stamens coming from the center of the flower are much shorter in comparison to the native.
Resources
https://www.azaleas.org/hybrid-groups/
https://www.azaleas.org/evergreen-azaleas/
https://www.azaleas.org/deciduous-azaleas/
https://www.gibbsgardens.com/garden-photos/azalea-gardens/