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Volume 4, Issue 38
October 18, 2013
Great Shrubs for Southern Landscapes
Table of Contents
Great Shrubs for
The genus Rhododendron compris- Southern
es over 900 species and an infinite number Landscapes
pg. 1
of cultivars had hybrids. When referring to Rhododendrons, most people think of
the large broadleaf evergreen shrubs that
are native to the Appalachians that bear
strikingly beautiful trusses of flows in
late spring. While these species, such as
Rhododendron catawbiense are beautiful
flowering shrubs, they are generally not
well-suited to our Middle Georgia climate.
Lockerly once had an extensive collection
of Rhododendrons, most have perished
Rhododendron alabamense flower
due to the drought and heat experienced in
recent years. One species, Rhododendron
minus, is actually native to Middle Georgia, and the Florida native, Rhododendron
chapmanii, has performed very well here
in the woodland areas of the Arboretum.
Aside from what we typically refer to as
Rhododendrons, this genus also includes
all azalea species, which produce large
clusters of vibrant flowers in late spring
and early summer. While there are many
popular Azaleas on the market, this article
will focus solely on those that are native to
Rhododendron arborescens
the South.
Rhododendron alabamense, otherwise known as Alabama Azalea, is a deciduous, native
shrub that reaches 5 to 8 ft. tall. A compact variety, it is known to sucker and form large colonies
in its native habitat. Come springtime, sweetly fragrant white flowers are borne on terminal clusters as the new leaves appear. This is one of the most fragrant native azaleas, so we recommend
planting it in a well-traveled area so as to take advantage of its sweet scent. ‘Caroline Dean’
and ‘Thomasville’ are two cultivars that feature pure white flowers. Another notable cultivar
is ‘Frosty,’ a popular variety that was selected from a garden in southwest Georgia. It boasts
glaucous foliage and white flowers typical of this species, but with a yellow blotch in the middle
of the petals.
Winter Vegetable
Garden
pg. 3
Lockerly Trustees
David Evans,
President
Joe Mangum,
Vice President
Sherrill Jones,
Secretary/Treasurer
Kathy Chandler
Rodger Flotta
Jan Flynn, Ph.D.
Doug R. Oetter, Ph.D.
Taylor Quedensley,
Ph.D.
Dede Reoch
Joni Smith
Bruce Vaughn, CFP
Al Woods
R. arborescens, or Sweet Azalea, is a loosely-branched selection that is native from Pennsylvania south to Georgia and Alabama.
It usually grows anywhere from 8 to 20 ft. tall with an equal spread.
Sweet Azalea sports lustrous, dark green foliage that sometimes turns
an attractive red color in fall. Like Alabama Azalea, Sweet Azalea has
white flowers, but can also have light pink blooms with red tips. Their
odor is reminiscent of heliotrope. For best results, plant this native
Azalea in full sun to partial shade in consistently moist, acidic soil.
This native plant is often sold by specialty growers who have been
known to offer varieties with pink, rose, or yellow flowers. There are
many excellent cultivars of this species, the most notable being ‘White
Lightning,’ a vigorous, white-flowered clone variety, and ‘Hot Ginger,’
an intensely fragrant selection with pink stamens.
Rhododendron atlanticum
R. atlanticum is commonly known as Coast Azalea, as it is most
often found growing along the coast from Delaware to South Carolina. Coast Azalea is a very handsome selection that grows 3 to 6 ft.
tall. Its leaves, a distinct blue-green color, make this selection standout
among other native azaleas, as well as add an attractive color contrast
in the garden. The flowers of R. atlanticum are about 1 to 1.5 inches
long, fragrant, and a pink-white color. They are borne in April, usually
right before the new foliage appears. Many cultivars of this species are
available on the market, including ‘Twiggy,’ a small variety with white,
fragrant floweres, ‘Choptank River Belle,’ which features pink buds
that open to intensely fragrant white flowers, and ‘Yellow Delight,’ a
superior choice with large yellow flowers and terrific growth habit.
Rhododendron austrinum
R. austrinum, or Florida Azalea, is native to not only to Florida
Alabama Florida, but also southwest Georgia, southern Alabama and
southeastern Mississippi. This species grows 8 to 10 ft. tall in a rather
loose habit. Fragrant flowers are borne in April and May with blooms
appearing yellow, cream, orange, or red colors. Florida Azalea makes a
wonderful addition to the shrub border, with cultivars such as ‘Adam’s
Orange’ and ‘Clyde’s Yellow’ providing a pop of color to the landscape. R. austrinum has proven itself to be one of the easiest native
azaleas to grow, as it requires very little maintenance.
R. canescens, or Piedmont Azalea, is the most common
native azalea in Georgia. We typically sell this lovely species during
our Spring Plant Sale, where it is always quite popular. This species
grows 10 to 15 ft. tall with fragrant white, pink or rose-colored blossoms opening in March through mid-April. Our favorite cultivar of this
species is ‘Varnadoes Phlox Pink,’ which features fragrant, bright pink
flowers in tubular shapes. Unlike other varieties, this cultivar can do
well in heavy shade.
R. chapmanii, otherwise known as Chapman’s Azalea, is an
evergreen selection that can reach 10 ft. tall. Its leaves are dark green
and oblong in shape, while its flowers are typically a rose-pink color
and appear in late spring. We highly recommend Chapman’s Azalea for
planting in our region, as it is exceedingly heat tolerant, an important
aspect to consider when planting in Georgia. R. chapmanii is closely related to R. minus, which has been observed growing in Baldwin
County.
Rhododendron canescens
Rhododendron chapmanii
While native Azaleas can often be difficult to establish, if planted in a proper site in rich, acidic soils and given
consistent moisture, they can make a colorful addition to woodland gardens and shrub borders. Be sure to look for some of
these native flowering shrubs at our Spring Plant Sale in April.
Winter Vegetable Garden
With cooler weather approaching, Lockerly’s grounds
crew is beginning to plant our winter vegetable garden. Last
year’s garden proved to be a huge success, with the vegetables
themselves not only exceptional in taste, but their foliage boasting
excellent color in an otherwise drab landscape.
Grounds keeper Charlie Avant tilling the garden
Last year’s bountiful vegetable garden
The vegetables we will be planting this year include:
Savoy Cabbage ‘Alcosa’
Cabbage ‘Ruby Perfection’
Kale ‘Starbor’
Kale ‘Red Russian’
Collards ‘Top Bunch’
Cauliflower ‘Snow Crown’
Green Lettuce ‘Winter Density’
Lettuce Mix ‘Allstar’
Beet ‘Merlin Round Red’
Mustard Greens ‘Southern Giant’
Swiss Chard ‘Bright Lights’
Broccoli ‘Marathon’
Turnip ‘Purple Top’