Many excellent azaleas, natives of Europe and Asia, and America are suitable for growing in New England.
If I were limited to five, I think that my choice would be for four native American species and one Japanese.
All have been thoroughly tried, all are readily available, and if all were used in the same garden, there would be azalea bloom for nearly 6 weeks.
Ideal Soil Requirements
Like all their clan members, they need acid soil, and a mulch of well-rotted oak leaves or pine needles applied in the fall seems ideal for them and is all the winter protection they need.
Sufficient moisture during summer droughts is necessary, but here, too, a good mulch of the above materials or peat moss would go a long way to preserve what moisture there is in the ground.
They can all be used as specimens, massing in the shrub border, or even singly in foundation plantings.
They are bushy and can easily be kept that way by proper pruning.
Azalea Varieties
Azalea Vaseyi
The pink shell azalea, Azalea Vaseyi, is a native of the southeastern United States but is hardy in all but the coldest parts of northern New England.
The flowers appear in mid-May, are a delicate pink (appearing before the leaves), and the plant can be grown in moist soils, although this is not necessary.
It grows about 6’ feet tall and is one of the few azaleas with reddish-colored foliage in the fall.
It is good as a specimen or in massing.
Azalea Obtusum Kaempferi
The torch azalea, Azalea obtusum Kaempferi, is a native of Japan and is hardy in the southern half of New England.
It is valued because of its fiery red flowers in mid-May and is certainly well worth growing.
When planted in open oak woods, where the high shade may be just enough to protect the delicate flowers from direct sun as they appear in mid-May, it is excellent, for they may fade in the direct sun.
Azalea Rosea
The rose shell azalea, Azalea rosea, is a native New Englander and the only azalea hardy throughout the entire region (together with its relative, the Pinxterflower).
Growing about 9’ feet tall, its deep pink and fragrant flowers appear in late May. It will withstand planting in the full sun.
Azalea Calendulacea
The flame azalea, Azalea calendulacea is native to the Great Smoky region in the southeastern United States, having brilliant orange flowers, usually. However, some plants vary from light yellow to dark red.
The flame azaleas bloom in early June and are always dependable for bright spots of color wherever they are used.
The most important point to remember about these vigorous-growing, 9’ to 12’ feet plants is that the flowers will withstand the full sun without fading prematurely—one of the best azaleas for this essential characteristic.
Azalea Arborescens
The sweet azalea, Azalea arborescens, is another native of the northeastern United States and can be found in all but the coldest parts of New England.
The flowers are white with colorful red stamens and appear in mid-June.
44718 by Donald Wyman