Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - April 03, 2012

From: Cherry Log, GA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Lists, Seed and Plant Sources, Shrubs
Title: Native Azaleas for Southeast USA
Answered by: Janice Kvale

QUESTION:

Where can I purchase wild azaleas?

ANSWER:

You are located right in the middle of azalea central USA. To find out all about azaleas in Georgia, here is what you do: go to your favorite web search engine - Google, Yahoo, or any other - type in "native azaleas in Georgia." There are more resources available than I have listed below, but I will let you surf for those on your own. Here is some of what you will find:

http://www.mindspring.com/~earlsommerville/home.htm is a site devoted to information and photos of beautiful native azaleas in Georgia.

http://www.lazyknursery.com/ will sell you native species. It is located in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Many nurseries will ship stock to you but you are always safest buying locally if you can.

http://www.azaleachapter.com/mcdonald.htm lists Geogia's native azaleas.

http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubDetail.cfm?pk_id=7732 is the University of Georgia's website on selecting and growing azaleas. Remember to note color, bloom time, size, light and soil requirements when selecting your plants. 

Here is a list of native plant suppliers in Georgia from our website, http://www.wildflower.org/suppliers/geo_search.php?passstr=-84.3907565,34.7803619,0#map

I've inserted below photos of some of the lovely azaleas that grow wild in Georgia. Wherever you choose to plant these beautiful shrubs, you can't go wrong. Obviously native azaleas love Georgia.

 

 

From the Image Gallery


Alabama azalea
Rhododendron alabamense

Smooth azalea
Rhododendron arborescens

Orange azalea
Rhododendron austrinum

Flame azalea
Rhododendron calendulaceum

Mountain azalea
Rhododendron canescens

Piedmont azalea
Rhododendron flammeum

Pink azalea
Rhododendron periclymenoides



Plumleaf azalea
Rhododendron prunifolium

Swamp azalea
Rhododendron viscosum

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Planting native yaupons on fence line for privacy
July 26, 2008 - I live in the country and someone bought the place next door and is building a house close to me.(150 yards) I want to plant yaupon trees on my fence line. Can I get seeds somewhere? I have yaupons ...
view the full question and answer

Wildflowers for Murphy NC Clay
August 24, 2012 - I live on a ridge in Murphy NC. The property has trees so most of the land is in partial shade. The soil is good 'ole mountain red clay. I have some steep bankings in front of the house that I wou...
view the full question and answer

Source for a soapberry in Pittsburgh PA
June 22, 2013 - Flower box Where can I buy a soapberry tree in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania?
view the full question and answer

Sources for information on federally protected plants
May 20, 2010 - There are plans to build an apartment complex on a beautiful parcel of land on Union Rd. in West Seneca, New York. Formerly this land was the home of Houghton College. I am wondering if ther...
view the full question and answer

Looking for Vitis californica
September 15, 2009 - I am trying to find two Vitus Californica "Walker Ridge" to plant on a trellis. I live in Santa Cruz, CA and am unable to locate a source for this plant and my local nurseries haven't had any luck ...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.