Azaleas

It’s early spring, and that means the azaleas are in bloom! Shrubs full of brilliant pink blooms can be seen all over the area, including here on the MOSI grounds, where they are a fairly recent addition to the landscape.

Azaleas are members of the genus Rhododendron. There are two sub-genera: Pentanthera , the deciduous azaleas, and Tsutsuji, the evergreen azaleas. Within each sub-genera are individual species. There are 17 species of azalea native to the U.S., all within the sub-genera Pentanthera. They are mostly found in the Southeast, in growing zones 7 – 9. However, azaleas have been popular for centuries, and humans have been hybridizing them to create cultivars that do well in a variety of growing zones. The Azalea Society of America has much more information on the many azaleas available.

In general, azaleas prefer dappled shade and moist but well-drained acidic soils. This makes them perfect for planting under large shady oak trees, where the leaves will self-mulch and provide all the nutrients the plants need. They are somewhat water-hungry, and require regular irrigation to thrive during dry seasons. They are slow-growing, but once established in an area they thrive with little attention. (Learn more about proper care here.)

Flowering takes place in early spring. Azaleas require four weeks of exposure to temperatures below 50 degrees followed by warmer temperatures for flowering to begin. Central Florida azaleas may flower more sporadically because our temperatures don’t always dip that low. However, some cultivars have been developed especially for the area, which require less chilling to flower well. When buying azaleas for Florida, always choose from a local nursery rather than ordering plants from an online or mail-order source. These plants will be correctly adapted to Florida’s growing patterns. (Learn more here.)

The azaleas here at MOSI are Rhododendron x ‘Formosa’, the most popular hybrid azalea in Florida. They’re found in the parking area near the Circle Drive, out behind our shade house area.