The Piedmont Azalea features rose-to-white flowers and has a sweet scent in the spring. Cold hardy for zones 5-8, be sure to keep soil moist during dry conditions.

Any azaleas flowering in your yard this spring are probably Asian in origin — not American species that offer different sights and pleasing scents.

“Azaleas native to the United States are colorful and well adapted to our challenging climate,” says Les Parks, curator of herbaceous plants at Norfolk Botanical Garden in southeastern Virginia.

“Some are sweetly fragrant and worthy of a place in your garden. There are species suited for the southern coastal climate, but there are many others that prefer cooler climates.

“It's possible for gardeners from southern Canada to Florida, from the Midwest to the Northwest to grow some variety of native azaleas.”

Azaleas have a lasting legacy at the botanical garden in Norfolk, Va., where 200 women earned 25 cents an hour, clearing 75 acres and planting 4,000 azaleas as part of the $76,000 Works Progress Administration grant in 1938. By 1941, the garden showcased 5,000 azaleas and five miles of walking trails in what was then named The Azalea Garden; in the late 1950s, the botanical garden became known by its current name.

Today, azaleas of all kinds, which are members of the genus Rhododendron, can be seen throughout the botanical garden — 850 different types among 50,000 plants. The botanical garden is also host to camellia, rose, crape myrtle, holly, hydrangea and champion tree collections. The latest garden is devoted to children.

6 native azaleas

• Coast Azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum). Fragrant, pinkish-white flowers in April; attractive blue-green foliage, 3-6 feet tall and wide, suckers; sun to part shade with even moisture; cold hardy zones 5-8 (9).• Florida Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum). Showy flowers that can be yellow, creamy white, orange or red, blooming midspring with fragrant scents; 7-15 feet tall and slightly narrower; light shade with consistently moist, well-drained soil; dislikes soggy soil, tolerates heat and humidity. Cold hardy zones 5-8.• Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum). Large flowers can be yellow, orange or pink early May with no fragrance; 4-6 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide, or larger; light shade in moist, well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established. Cold hardy zones 5-7.• Piedmont Azalea, Hoary Azalea, Florida Pinxter (Rhododendron canescens). Pink, rose-to-white flowers with sweet scent in spring; 6-10 feet tall and wide, suckers; part shade in moist, well-drained soil; keep moist during drought. Cold hardy zones 5-8.• Pinxterbloom Azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides). Fragrant, white-to-pink flowers midspring; 4-6 feet tall and wider, suckers; drought tolerant once established; part shade in moist, well-drained soil. Cold hardy zones 4-8.• Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum). Fragrant white flowers mid- to late spring, 2-8 feet tall and 3-8 feet wide, variable; part shade in moist soils; tolerates flooding and occasional drought once established. Cold hardy zones 4-9.

<B>Planting azaleas </B>Locate in the correct amount of shade or sunlight for the particular species of azaleas you plant. Soil should also be well drained and light, unless your species tolerates otherwise.Dig hole twice width of the root ball — but only the same depth. The azalea should not be planted too deeply; they can even be raised up some to insure better drainage, if needed. Backfill hole with existing top soil amended with rich organic matter — compost or manure. If the existing top soil is poor, add new. The ratio of top soil to organic matter should be 2-to-1.Spread the roots out for proper growth.Water new azalea well and make sure it stays moist, particularly the first summer and during periods of heat or drought. One or two deep soakings per week is better than more frequent, but less thorough watering. Avoid using irrigation water high in soluble salts, and avoid areas prone to flooding from salt water.Cover planting area with 2-3 inches of mulch to help retain moisture, reduce weeds and moderate soil temperature.<B>Caring for azaleas </B>Feed your azaleas small amounts of organic fertilizer, preferably one labeled specifically for azaleas. If you use a chemical fertilizer, cut the rate in half. Azaleas are easily burned by overfeeding.Several insects feed on azaleas, particularly lace bug and azalea caterpillars. If you notice insect damage, try to control with organic or physical solutions first — before you grab a bottle of something stronger.Prune azaleas within the first six weeks following bloom time. Any pruning after that lessens next year’s flowers.Work carefully around azaleas when they are budded — some varieties have buds that easily snap off.Locate in the correct amount of shade or sunlight for the particular species of azaleas you plant. Soil should also be well drained and light, unless your species tolerates otherwise.Dig hole twice width of the root ball — but only the same depth. The azalea should not be planted too deeply; they can even be raised up some to insure better drainage, if needed. Backfill hole with existing top soil amended with rich organic matter — compost or manure. If the existing top soil is poor, add new. The ratio of top soil to organic matter should be 2-to-1.Spread the roots out for proper growth.Water new azalea well and make sure it stays moist, particularly the first summer and during periods of heat or drought. One or two deep soakings per week is better than more frequent, but less thorough watering. Avoid using irrigation water high in soluble salts, and avoid areas prone to flooding from salt water.Cover planting area with 2-3 inches of mulch to help retain moisture, reduce weeds and moderate soil temperature.<B>Caring for azaleas </B>Feed your azaleas small amounts of organic fertilizer, preferably one labeled specifically for azaleas. If you use a chemical fertilizer, cut the rate in half. Azaleas are easily burned by overfeeding.Several insects feed on azaleas, particularly lace bug and azalea caterpillars. If you notice insect damage, try to control with organic or physical solutions first — before you grab a bottle of something stronger.Prune azaleas within the first six weeks following bloom time. Any pruning after that lessens next year’s flowers.Work carefully around azaleas when they are budded — some varieties have buds that easily snap off.

The Florida Azalea has showy flowers and fragrant scents. The plant can grow 7-15 feet tall and does best in light shade with moist, well-drained soil.