Azalea Repository

National Native Azalea Repository

One of the more striking floral images that people hold for the Southern Appalachians is the flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum). Perhaps William Bartram, an early botanical explorer of the region, described it best (and somewhat dramatically!) when he wrote of his first encounter with this celebrated plant:

"...We were alarmed with apprehension of the hill being set on fire. This is certainly the most gay and brilliant flowering shrub yet known."

The bright orange flame azalea, one of fifteen azalea species native to the United States, certainly warrants such praise. But all of the species exhibit unique characteristics and offer spectacular displays of color during their flowering seasons. The rare pinkshell azalea (R. vaseyi), for instance, is native to only a few counties in Western North Carolina including Buncombe County. You can witness its beautiful pink blooms in late May along the Blue Ridge Parkway from Mt. Pisgah to the Devil's Courthouse.

The Garden

Imagine a streamside garden covered with azaleas representing almost every species native to the United States. Add to that an array of cultivated varieties and hybrids and you have the National Native Azalea Repository. Nestled along the banks of Bent Creek and easily reached by the Core Area Road, the repository is a medley of azaleas that in time will grow to include hundreds of plants. In late spring and early summer, the garden is a diverse and eye-catching composition of color, form and fragrance set among native ferns and wildflowers. In winter, the sky opens up above the garden's canopy and the natural architecture of the surrounding stone outcroppings is revealed. Two level loop trails wind through the site. Secondary trails wind through the garden and up the adjacent cove.

The Conservation Reservoir

The National Native Azalea Repository was established to help preserve and protect native azaleas. It is not only a garden but also a "conservation reservoir" or storage center that holds the hereditary material for each of the native species as well as hybrids and cultivated varieties. All seed is collected from documented wild origins and is propagated in our nursery.

Although none of the species is listed as threatened or endangered, habitat for these plants continues to be lost to development. Protecting the biodiversity of native azaleas is of vital importance to the Arboretum.

The North Carolina Arboretum is ideally located for such a repository. Ten of the azalea species are found in the Southern Appalachians, nine in North Carolina and five in Buncombe County. The majority of the species are found within 100 miles of the Arboretum.

Flower, Color, Scent

Azaleas have many positive attributes that make them perfect for the home landscape. The peak azalea flowering time is early to mid May, but some species flower as early as April and as late as frost in autumn. Azaleas have a wide variety of flower colors including orange, yellow, red, pink and white. The cumberland azalea (R. cumberlandense) is orange; the Florida flame azalea (R. austrinum) is yellow and the pinxterbloom azalea (R. periclymenoides) is pink.

Many species are not only colorful but also fragrant. Some are so fragrant that one plant is enough for a home landscape! The sweet azalea (R. arborescens) derives its common name from the heliotrope-like fragrance it exudes. The swamp azalea (R. viscosum viscosum) is known for its clove-like scent.

Azaleas prefer a variety of habitats: some thrive in upland sites and are quite tolerant of dry southern and western exposures. Others are at home in moist, streamside locations.

Rhodora (R. canadense), Western azalea (R. occidentale) and (R. eastmanii)are the three native species not currently planted in the garden. Rhodora is found from New England to the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Western azalea grows entirely west of the Mississippi and is found from California to Washington. R. eastmanii is a new native found only in a few counties in South Carolina. This new discovery in November 1999 has a population of only 500 known plants.

The Diversity Of Hybrids

Hybrids bring diversity to the repository collection. When we refer to a hybrid here, we mean a plant resulting from the cross of two different species. There are many natural hybrids found among the native azaleas and a number are featured in the Arboretum collection. Some are already planted in the repository including our Gregory Bald hybrids.

The Gregory Bald seedlings come from one of the most famous hybrid stands in the United States. Located on the eight acre Gregory Bald in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the stand provides a striking summer scene of color that includes yellow, orange, red, pink, white and every shade in between!

The sixteen native azalea species are listed below:

Rhododendron alabamense
Rhododendron arborescens
Rhododendron atlanticum
Rhododendron austrinum
Rhododendron calendulaceum
Rhododendron canadense
Rhododendron canescens
Rhododendron cumberlandense
Rhododendron eastmanii (This link leaves The North Carolina Arboretum site)
Rhododendron flammeum
Rhododendron occidentale
Rhododendron periclymenoides
Rhododendron prinophyllum
Rhododendron prunifolium
Rhododendron vaseyi
Rhododendron viscosum

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