PlantFiles: Cumberland Azalea, Cumberland Rhododendron
Rhododendron cumberlandense

Beautiful late summer bloomer. Mine grew in partial shade, lighting up the area with beautiful orange blossoms.

This azalea is often confused with the Flame Azalea. It is usually on the redder side of orange instead of the yellow side and blooms much later than Flame Azalea, even into midsummer. Its aspect is open and airy, not at all compact like commercial azaleas. It is a somewhat slow grower.

This shrub perfers some direct sunlight, and requires water in the heat of summer - leaves droop if too dry. Does not like to be disturbed once planted. Do not prune hard or plant may die entirely. I lost two; one due to my dog's tieout getting tangled in it and breaking off large branches, the other due to the mower getting too close. Other shrubs would have survived this treatment.

Does not propagate easily from cuttings. It is worth sowing your own seedlings to get a hillside of these showstoppers. Collect seed in November to December from the dried pods and sow fresh December to February. Seedlings will flower in the second year if given ideal conditions.

This North American azalea is native from E. Kentucky to Tennessee south to N. Georgia and Alabama, growing in open woods at high elevations. The orange to red flowers are quite striking and the foliage is deep green. Unlike many North American azaleas, this one has no fragrance. It is one of the last to bloom, to it helps extend the azalea season.