Plant Family............ Ericaceaee (Heath) Leaf Arrangement... Alternate Habitat.................... Moist Wooded Areas

Plant Height.... 6 feet Bloom Date..... April Flower Color... Various

Img 1 Flame Azalea Img 2. Alabama Azalea Img 3. Wild Honeysuckle

CLICK PICTURES FOR LARGER VIEW DESCRIPTION Native azaleas are deciduous shrubs that are in the rhododendron family. Several wild azalea species are native to North Alabama. Color variations and natural hybridization makes positive identification difficult. The pink tinged R. canescens, which is often called wild honeysuckle, is most common. The fragrant flowers of this species are whitish pink and have long projecting stamens. The shrub grows to 5 or more feet and is especially noticeable in the spring because the flowers open before the foliage of this and other plants can obscure the view. The Alabama Azalea, R. alabamense has white flowers with a yellow splotch. This plant blooms later than the Wild Honeysuckle and has a lemon or spice fragrance. It can be propagated from cuttings. The Flame Azalea, R. calendulaceum has large orange flowers. This plant is frequently grown in local gardens but may be rare in the wild west of Georgia. . More Native Azalea Images Return to Early Spring Index