May 2008 Archives

Tyler is home to thousands of azaleas that put on a dazzling display in late March and early April. These azaleas are all hybrids with different species, mostly hailing from the orient.

Did you know that there is also an azalea native to Texas? Maybe you've heard of the Azalea Canyon near Newton, Texas where the deciduous azaleas draw visitors every March to see the show. But, did you know that there is another azalea native to Smith County in Northeast Texas? I was so surprised when one day one of my Master Gardeners casually mentioned she had native azaleas blooming along a creek in her backyard. Sure enough, she had a very nice colony of Rhododendron oblongifolium, better known as the Texas Azalea. It is not a show stopper, but it is very cool to have a local, native representative of one of our favorite plant groups.

Texas Azalea is a deciduous azalea, coming out of domancy in March. It blooms in mid to late May, with sprays of pure white flowers,having a clove-like fragrance. The leaves, buds and flowers are covered with sticky glands, a distinctive characteristic of this species. By the time it begins blooming, it has put on a lot of new growth, which partially obscures the flowers.

I'm not 100% positive it is R. oblongifolium. I remember reading somewhere that some taxonomists or Rhodie specialists felt it was a type of Swamp Azalea - R. vicosum. Both bloom late, in May, have clove-like fragrance, have sticky buds. I not sure it really matters all that much - I just like having it in my yard,where it blooms alongside an oakleaf hydrangea.

Texas Azalea is difficult to propagate, and not especially showy, so it won't ever become a common centerpiece in the landscape. But, it's nice to know that Smith County is home to native azaleas. 

Tyler is famous not only for its roses, the Tyler Rose Garden, and the Texas Rose Festival, but also for the beautiful Tyler Azalea Trail each year mid-March through the first week of April. Mile after mile of brick-lined streets and quiet neighborhoods explode with color, along with the dogwoods and and other spring-time flowers. Then, suddenly, it's over.

But, it doesn't have to be over. The foundation of most of the Tyler Azalea Trail are early-blooming azaleas that bloom just as or before new growth begins. Kurume, Southern Indica and a few other hybrid groups make up the bulk of the beauty.

In the past few years, Encore azaleas have hit the scene, promising repeat bloom in late summer and fall. Take a trip to the Ina Brundrett Azalea Garden at Tyler Jr. College (just east of the Jenkins Hall) to see examples of every variety that has been releases do far.

There is a group of azaleas that bloom in May, a group of Japanese hybrids called Satsuki -  which means "5th Month". There are hundreds of varieties, but only a few are popular in landscapes and in nurseries. One of my absolute favorite Satsuki varieties is called 'Wakaebisu'. It begins blooming in early to mid-May, and is a very heavy bloomer. I also like it because it is a very compact grower, staying low and slowly spreading, making a great shrub for the front of the border. Low-grower, heavy bloom, evergreen - what more can you want?

I had read an azalea popularity survey several years ago, and 'Wakaebisu' was on everybody's list of favorite pink varieties. Its May-bloom is a great way to extend the azalea blooming season, and to get fantastic color in your garden in May, where it can bridge the gap while pansies and snapdragons are fading while summer annuals and perennials are gaining steam for the summer show.