We are familiar with the fabulous evergreen azalea bushes that are covered with blooms at this time of the year, but as pretty as they are, they cannot compare to the eye-popping shock and awe of a native azalea. They are a meek, unassuming woodland shrub that loses its leaves in the winter so the sudden appearance of flaming orange, deep pink, or dainty white blooms generates traffic stopping attention.
I've seen them in the woods and never attempt to take one because they are not common and very slow growing so accidentally killing one one would be tragic. They are also not easily found in garden centers but I have managed to find two of them, a pink piedmont azalea and a florida flame azalea. Even though I have had them for several years, this is the first spring that I have abundant blooms on both of them at the same time. Photos do not do them justice. Some day, the shrubs might be as large as 20 feet tall!
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