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“AMERICAN AZALEA COLLECTION” (ARVS) (ARS) “AMERICAN AZALEA COLLECTION” (ARS) “AMERICAN AZALEA COLLECTION”

The American Deciduous Azalea Species Collection

Project Leader : Prue Crome

Written by : Prue Crome

This collection, that has been in the making since 2022 and still ongoing in 2026, can be found on the southern side of the ‘Horseshoe’ in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. It is yet another project based on the preservation of the species already existing but spread throughout the gardens.

Preserving a Botanical Legacy

The ARSV’s comprehensive database has cultivation of these species from as early as 1970 but most through 1990’s and 2000’s. The collection features 16 azaleas from the:

  • Pentanthera section: R. alabamense, R. atlanticum, R. arborescens, R. bakeri, R. calendulaceum, R. canescens, R. cumberlandense, R. flammeum, R. occidentale, R. perclyminoides, R. prinophyllum, R. prunifolium and R. viscosum.
  • Also included but not from USA – R. luteum and R. molle ssp japonicum.
  • Rhodora section: R. canadense and R. vaseyi.

Display rational

The Horseshoe Garden was suffering from weed infestation and neglect. In an endeavour to invigorate this area, a mass planting of the azalea species was designed to better showcase the smaller flowered species within the context of their cultivars developed over many years of hybridisation.

The American deciduous species generally have clusters of fine tubular flowers which can be dismissed as insignificant but when crossed with the larger flowered Asian and European species, they display exuberant yellow, orange or pink blooms.

Mass planting of a species, particularly give the scale of the DRBG, has more impact and emphasises the specific qualities of each species. The deciduous azaleas given their origins are somewhat heat and drought tolerant, once mature, in Australian temperate regions, so can be valuable species to consider for your garden.

Cultivation

An extension to the first planting in 2022 is being prepared for relocation of some and new additions to each species group, which will enable larger groupings and easier maintenance.

These species tend to grow as multi stemmed shrubs, to encourage bushy growth with more terminal flower buds, regular pruning is will be done. The flowers of these azaleas are generally fragrant so when the collection is in full flower the scent should be wonderful.

 

NOTES

Historical information on hybridising of deciduous azaleas:- Ghent (Belgium 1820’s), Mollis (Japan and Holland 1860’s), Knapp Hill (UK 1870’s) and Exbury (UK 1920’s onwards) and many more from other countries till this present day. Some ARSV members also developed beautiful cultivars.

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