This spring, I photographed several beautiful Florida Azaleas as I was visiting North Carolina and Tennessee.
Florida Azaleas (rhododendron austrinum) are one of the fifteen native azaleas that are found in the Southeastern United States. Native to a small region of Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama, the Florida Azalea are a fragrant, early blooming plant. They usually bloom from late March through late April – at the same time as the Hoary Azaleas (rhododendron canescens). The blossoms on the Florida Azaleas are shades of gold, yellow and orange with long stamens. The rhododendron canescens blooming at the same time are usually in shades of white to pink.
I first photographed the Florida Azaleas at the Bog Garden in Greensboro, North Carolina.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
I next found some Florida Azaleas at Reflection Riding Arboretum in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Their plant was labeled, so I was able to identify the type of azalea I had photographed a few weeks previously in Greensboro.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Later in my trip, I photographed another Florida Azalea at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
And finally, a Austrinum Gold Florida Azalea (rhododendron austrinum “austrinum gold”) also photographed at the North Carolina Arboretum
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
The Florida Azaleas I photographed were all absolutely beautiful plants. I can’t wait to photograph more of them next spring.