South Carolina is well noted for its beautiful azalea plantings. Azaleas come in a wide variety of colors and different sizes and bloom times to add tremendous interest throughout the Spring season.

Evergreen azaleas:   
               

	Indica	Encore	Kurume	Satsuki
Heights	4-8ft	4-8ft	3-4ft	1-2ft
Bloom Season	Early to Mid	Spring, Fall	Early-Mid	Late

Colors:

Purple

Lavender

Red

Pink

Orange

White

Variegated Red,  Pink and White

Deciduous azaleas:

Heights	4-8ft
Bloom Season	Early-Mid

Colors:

Orange

Yellow

Pink

White

     Many designers plant azaleas in drifts of contrasting colors. White contrasts with everything. Colors close to each other on the color wheel clash. An example is red clashes with purple, orange and pink. On the other hand purple and pink contrast and look nice together. Remember, when you have lots of different colors together it makes your eye jump around but when you have one mass of color the feeling is more soothing. Of course, if you want to you can throw the color wheel away and plant a riot of color where anything goes. It’s a matter of personal taste.

Chinsoy Azalea	Piedmont Azalea	Satsuki Azalea

     Many designers also plan to have staggered bloom times for their azalea plantings. Some azaleas, such as the kurume hybrids, bloom very early. Upstate residents should be aware that late freezes may kill the blooms on kurume hybrids.

     Most azaleas can tolerate sun but prefer filtered sun to shady locations in well drained soils.  The deciduous azaleas will handle wet soils fairly well.

     Late season bloomers are primarily the satsuki hybrids. Satsuki hybrids are usually the smallest azaleas available. Gumpo azalea (available in pink or white) is the most frequently used satsuki hybrid.

Indica Formosa Azalea	G.G. Gerbing Indica Azalea	Kurume Azalea

     The purple Formosa, the pink George Tabor and the white G. G Gerbing azaleas are the most popular Indicas, even though there are many more varieties and colors available. Indica azaleas are early to mid season bloomers.

     As you can see, quite an arrangement can be made using taller azaleas in the back of a planting, medium sized azaleas in the middle and smaller ones in the front. Combine this with their varying colors and bloom times and an outstanding planting can be created using South Carolina grown azaleas!
 

     The South Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association has many experts who can assist you with choosing the right plant for the right spot. Be sure to consult with one of our qualified members who will be able to help you in establishing azaleas in your setting! A list of these individuals who reside nearest to you can be found in the membership section on this web site. You may also view past articles here. For an extensive list of consumer related gardening topics visit the: Clemson Extension Service Home and Garden Information Center.