“Happy I Was Wrong”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
Spring flowers continue to show up. In fact, the last few days, I have been surprised more than once by new flowers. I’ll be watering the garden, look up, and am shocked to find a tree or shrub in bloom. I am beginning to think I am not the most observant person.
One of these “surprise” flowering shrubs is a native azalea (Rhododendron austrinum). Earlier this spring, I thought I only saw one flower bud on the bush and was so disappointed. I even considered digging it up and moving it somewhere less noticeable since it is taking up valuable space in a sunny area of the garden, and goodness knows, there are very few sunny spots in my garden. Since this is about the fourth year I have had this, I thought one flower cluster just wasn’t enough. Well, I don’t know if it read my mind or what, but all of a sudden this native azalea burst into bloom.
This native azalea is deciduous, and the brilliant golden blossoms have a lovely honeysuckle fragrance. As with all azaleas, this particular one likes acid soil, part sun, and moist but well-drained soil. Hardy to zone 6 and about six feet tall and two feet wide, this azalea makes a wonderful addition to a woodland garden.
This is still a small bush, but it is growing steadily every year. I am hoping in a few years, it will be large enough to really stand out in the garden.
I am so happy I was wrong, and that there was more than one bloom on this shrub this season.
Always Growing 
Bernieh said,
March 23, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Those golden flowers are well worth the wait … and they come with a wonderful perfume! What an outstanding sight this shrub will be when it’s fully matured and in full bloom.
Mary said,
March 23, 2011 at 8:29 pm
I love native azaleas!
Jan said,
March 24, 2011 at 3:08 pm
I would love to have more native azaleas, but I don’t have much more room in the garden.
debsgarden said,
March 23, 2011 at 8:35 pm
I have one of these planted in my garden. It is still very small and hasn’t yet bloomed. Native azaleas seem to take awhile to get established. I am hoping to see even one bloom this year! You have given me hope!
Jan said,
March 24, 2011 at 3:07 pm
I think you are right, Deb, about them taking a while to get established. Mine seems to be just a slow grower, but then, that may be its nature.
Janet said,
March 24, 2011 at 11:22 am
The South Carolina Native Plant Society is supposed to have some native azaleas for sale, hope I can find one like yours!
Jan said,
March 24, 2011 at 3:06 pm
There is also a pink flowering native azalea that I think is just lovely. You might want to look for one of those, too.
Pam said,
March 25, 2011 at 8:45 am
I also have 2 young wild (orange,supposedly) Azaleas, planted last year. No blooms so far but your patience has encouraged me!
Jan said,
March 25, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Good luck with them, Pam. I am sure you will have flowers soon.
donna said,
March 29, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Oh, my….the golden azalea flowers are so pretty. I guess your threat to banish Goldie to another part of the yard worked.
No blooms of any sort up here. We’re still covered in snow, but our day will come.
donna
Kate @ Gardening and Gardens said,
April 3, 2011 at 11:02 am
What a beautiful azalea! The stamens on that blossom look like cat whiskers. I’m so happy for you its blooming well this year!