Florida Azalea Rhododendron austrinum

Florida azalea is an erect, woody, deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family that will grow 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. It is native to the lower southeastern United States, which does not include North Carolina. The genus named derives from the Greek words rhodo, which means rose, and dendron, meaning tree. 

Give this plant partial shade in moist, well-drained, acidic soil and protect it from afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves. It does not tolerate dense clay, so if you have clay soil, amend with organic material. It will reward you with fragrant flowers plus drought tolerance once established.  

The flowers of Florida azalea attract hummingbirds and bees, so place it in a woodland or naturalized area. It may also be grown as a houseplant. Prune rhododendrons and azaleas after they bloom to preserve the current season's bloom, and allow time for the plant to produce flower buds for next year's bloom.  Rhododendrons and azaleas set next year's flower buds by mid to late summer. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Insect problems include aphids, borers, lace bugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips, and whitefly.  Diseases include canker, crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. This plant is frequently damaged by deer.

While these shrubs remain very popular for landscape use, many cultivars are susceptible to Phytophthora root rot—this leads to leaf loss, reduced vigor, branch dieback, and wilting. Implement good cultural practices first, such as improving drainage with organic matter or berms and avoiding overwatering or overfertilization.  However, if you have a site with a history of this disease, consider planting one of the root rot-resistant alternative species.  

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases of rhododendron.  

For suitable alternatives, see this video created by Charlotte Glen as part of the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens series.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Rhododendron.