July-blooming Plumleaf Azalea

Rare Yellow Flowering Form

Plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) is a native deciduous azalea that grows in the Chattahoochee River Valley on the Georgia-Alabama line (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). It is one of the signature plants of Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

Their bright orange-red flowers surprise in late July into early Augusta and blooms may last for 2 weeks or more. Spring and summer foliage is medium-green and remains mostly blemish-free. Compared to many other spring blooming native azaleas, flowers are not fragrant. Fall leaf color is also uneventful. Insect and disease problems are rare if the plant is properly sited.

This 5-8 feet tall and wide shrub performs best in morning sunlight and shaded from the harsh afternoon summer sun. It grows in well-drained, compost amended soil. Plumleaf azalea prospers in the calcareous clay soils found in the Appalachian region without pH correction.  Plant in full-day light shade in zones 7-9. Set the shrub into a shallow wide dug hole that has been generously amended with compost and/or peat.

Feed in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote™ or Nutricote™. An alternative nutrition program is to use a water soluble product such as Miracle-Gro™ or Jack’s™  in early spring and again in early summer. Maintain 2-3 inches of a pine-based mulch around the base of the shrub. Irrigate plant(s) the first 2 years of establishment and you will be rewarded for many summers to come.

Plumleaf azaleas are usually available from mail order companies on-line. It is best to purchase and plant them before late spring so that their fine shallow rootsystem can adapt to their new site before winter arrives.

Plumleaf azaleas bloom on new current season’s wood. Prune deciduous azaleas anytime after bloom to maintain a desired height and spread. Plumleaf azalea is primarily available at local native plant nurseries or is offered online.