Greg Grant

Nurseries sell many different kinds of azaleas. From large to small, from once blooming to repeat blooming, most everyone can find an azalea that appeals to them.

The most common azaleas grown in East Texas are Southern Indicas. They come from Japan and have mature height of 6 feet with an equal spread. Flowers are usually 2 to 3 1/2 inches across. The “big three” varieties of Southern Indicas are George Taber (lilac), G.G. Gerbing (white) and Formosa (magenta).

Kurume azaleas are typically referred to as dwarf. A normal size for these varieties in East Texas is 2 to 3 feet tall. Kurume azaleas grow slowly and have denser growth than Southern Indicas. Flowers are usually 1 1/2 to 2 inches across. Christmas Cheer (red), Coral Bells (pink), Hino Crimson (red), Hinodegiri (red) and Snow (white) are popular varieties.

Later-blooming varieties are the Satsuki hybrids. Satsuki means “fifth month” in Japanese.

Satsuki hybrid azaleas flower later in the spring season, usually mid-April through May. They have larger flowers than Kurumes and a low, dense, mounding growth habit. The Gumpo (pink or white) and Macrantha (pink/orange) cultivars belong to this group.

Other popular azalea groups recommended for East Texas are Glenn Dale hybrids, Carla hybrids, Girard hybrids and Robin Hill hybrids.

Glenn Dale hybrids include several hundred varieties developed as cold-hardy replacements for Southern Indica varieties. Popular Glenn Dale hybrids include Allure (rosy pink), Copperman (orange-red), and Fashion (salmon to orange-red). Some of these are good fall bloomers.

Another azalea group developed for improved cold hardiness is the Girard hybrids. These compact growers produce single or double flowers in shades of white, red, pink, and lavender. Popular Girard hybrids are Hot Shot (orange-red), Sandra Ann (purple) and Unsurpassable (red).

The Robin Hill azaleas bloom heavily in fall and also flower in spring, commonly leading to the name of “re-blooming” azaleas. Sir Robert is a popular Robin Hill variety. Its flowers range from white to pink. The most popular Robin Hill variety is Watchet, which produces large 3 1/2-inch flowers that are clear pink and ruffled. Plants are compact and spreading. Conversation Piece is a bicolored Robin Hill variety.

Encore azaleas are “the azalea that knows no season.” Repeat blooming Encore azaleas were bred and developed by Buddy Lee, of Louisiana. With 30-plus varieties now, you can have a wide range of bloom time, plant heights and colors.

Still yet, deciduous azaleas are bred from native azaleas and have fragrant orchid-like blooms in shades from white and pink to yellow and orange. They bloom on bare stems before the leaves come out and are a bit harder to find in the trade.

Spring is a great time to pick out azalea varieties at garden centers since you can see exactly what colors you are getting.

Greg Grant is the Smith County horticulturist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. You can follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens.” He writes a monthly blog titled “Greg’s Ramblings” at arborgate.com and writes “In Greg’s Garden” for Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com).