Rhododendron simsii, 'Vittatum', and the Background Glenn Dale Azaleas Seed of the R. simsii used by Morrison was obtained in the fall of 1926 in by agricultural explorer F. A. Richard T. West McClure, USDA Bureau of Plant Columbia, MD Industries, and sent to the Plant Intro- duction Station at Glenn Dale, Maryland. The seeds were introduced in the USDA William C. Miller III Plant Inventory for 1927 material: Bethesda, MD P.I. 71356 Rhododendron species Ericaceae. Fourteen Glenn Dale azaleas have the Chinese species azalea, Rhododendron No. 853. Yeungkokteng, Anhwei Prov- simsii, as a parent, and if those with parentage involving `Vittatum'—supposedly a sport of R. ince. October 29,1926. Yeung shaan simsii—are included, the number rises to about 130 or almost thirty-percent of the Glenn hung. A handsome rhododendron Dale hybrids (1). According to the 1953 USDA Agriculture Monograph 20, The Glenn with flame-colored flowers (4). Dale Azaleas, the R. simsii used in their hybridizing program at Glenn Dale was obtained from seed collected in China, and B. Y. Morrison noted that the azalea was hardy at Glenn Presumably, McClure sent the Dale and that the flowers were a dear pink (2). However, commonly available information seeds with the name "Yeung shaan about this Chinese azalea has it being of questionable hardiness in the Washington, D.C. hung" and this was the source of the area, and the flower color range is usually given as orange-red to -red. Historical name in the Glenn Dale records. There is no evidence that any of the seeds were records at Glenn Dale give a name for the R. simsii used in the hybridization program as distributed by the USDA, but some or all "Yeung shaan hung', but this name was not used by Morrison in Monograph 20 and was were germinated at Glenn Dale, because unfamiliar to us. Morrison stated that R. simsii was "avail- able to us only as seedlings from a single As a part of our continuing Glenn Dale azalea research, we have compiled a Chinese collection" (5). As the Glenn database of Glenn Dale azaleas by name, Plant Introduction (PI) number, Bell number (an Dale azalea hybridizing began in the late 1920's, the timing is right for the progeny identifying number used at Glenn Dale for internal record-keeping), and seed lot number, of the McClure seed collection to have which includes seed and pollen parent names (3). Whereas Morrison used only the been included in the material used. species names (e.g., R. simsii) or names of forms or hybrids of the species (e.g., 'Hirtodegirf) in describing parent plants used in the Glenn Dale azalea hybridization program, in the The historical record is fairly database we used the most specific information found in the records (e.g., "Yeung shaan consistent for information about R. simsii. hung"). Two seed lots used the Chinese azalea as a parent: B.13582, 'Indica Alba' x It was introduced to Europe about 1793 "Yeung shaan hung", from which four Glenn Dales were selected, including 'Desire' and and was first described as a Chinese spe- 'Vision'; and B.13732, "Yeung shaan hung" x 'Indica Alba', from which ten Glenn Dale cies by J. Sims in 1812, but erroneously azaleas were selected, including 'Dream , 'Temptation', and 'Chloe'. Due to the fact that named Azalea indica (the Japanese late- the species affiliation of "Yeung shaan hung" was uncertain, we attached the name R. simsii blooming evergreen azaleas are the Indica in parentheses in the database. Azalea or Satsuki group that includes R. indicum) (6). In A Monograph of Azaleas, Wilson states, "This species (R. simsii) Although well-known in China, R. simsii is still rare in the west. Because it was not grows well in all the temperate parts of familiar to us, we could not resolve the questions about names and plant characteristics. In China and in south Formosa . . . It is the following paragraphs we report the results of an investigation of the origin of the R. particularly abundant in the area of the simsii used in the Glenn Dale program and our search for general information about this Yangtsze Valley from near Ningpo to Mt. Chinese azalea. Omei in the far west ... (and according to Hancock) the Ningpo hills are absolutely crimson in places with this shrub. (It We report also information found about 'Vittatum', which is said to be a variety or grows to an average of five feet.) The cultivated form of R. simsii. Morrison apparently liked 'Vittatum because he directed that corolla is broad-funnel shape, varying it be crossed with many other azaleas as part of the Glenn Dale hybridizing. It is in the in color from rose-red through bright to parentage of some 117 Glenn Dales. We have discussed with each other whether dark red . . . In central China it is gener- `Vittatum' is really a sport of R. simsii, and thinking not, have sought further information. ally known as the "Yin-shan-hung" (7).

4 • THE AZALEAN/March 1996 Wilson noted that some report the flower recognized by Lee and Galle. of A. variegata do not flower so early), color as rose to white, but that he had Rhododendron 'Vittatum' or 'Vittatum' but the species so common in Canton never seen an albino form. (syn. 'Vittata Fortunei') and the south were comparatively rare here. A most beautiful kind, having the habit of A. indica and half decidu- In his book, The Smaller Rhodo- In Monograph 20, Morrison cites ous, had its flowers striped with pale dendrons, Cox states that the R. simsii Wilson in assigning 'Vittatum' as is barely hardy anywhere in Britain, blue or lilac lines, and sometimes a variety of R. simsii (13). Accord- blotches of the same colour upon a and grows to eight feet. He gave the ing to Wilson, British botanist Robert white ground. Not unfrequently it color as various shades of red with the Fortune sent a plant of 'Vittatum' to sports like the double-blossomed peach comment, "I shall never forget seeing England about 1850 after he saw it in already described, and then, in addi- the fiery red flowers of this species flower at the Pou-shan Gardens near tion to its carnation-striped flowers, appearing out of the swirling mist in Shanghai. This variety is character- has some self-coloured purple ones on Hong Kong's New Territory moun- ized by white flowers irregularly striped the same plant. This species has been tains" (8). Galle also identifies R. with lilac-purple, and sometimes with named Azalea vittata" (16). simsii with the name "Yin-shan-hung" pure white or pure lilac-purple flowers and gives the flower size as 1-1/2 to 2 on the same branch. Upon reach- Fortune categorized the azaleas inches and color as yellowish pink to ing England, 'Vittatum' was propa- various shades of red (9). He gives no he described into two groups or sec- gated extensively, and it was used source for the name; however, he does tions: Azalea indica that is early bloom- in the hybridization of the Indian cite Wilson. Galle notes the plants are ing in March and April, and Azalea azaleas. According to Glenn Dale tender outside of zones 8a to 9a. variegata that blooms later in May and records, Morrison obtained the June. He assigned all azaleas to one or 'Vittatum' plants he used in hybrid- the other section, and grouped together Morrison was well familiar with izing from the Fruitland Nurseries the wild Chinese azalea (R. simsii?) the use of R. simsii in the creation of in Augusta, Georgia. In describ- with 'Vittatum' in the early section. Indian and Belgian hybrid azaleas in ing hybridizing with R. simsii in He used words like variety or species Europe, and he noted that it was re- Monograph 20, Morrison combined ex- in talking about the azalea; such as ported as the most potent factor in periences with R. simsii "Yeung this species or that variety; but he that hybridizing (10). One of the goals shaan hung" and with 'Vittatum', did not state any relationship by muta- of the Glenn Dale program was to apparently accepting the notion that tion or sporting between the azaleas. It create a new group of azaleas that 'Vittatum' was much the same ge- seems clear to us that his comments are should have large flowers like the netic stock as R. simsii; that is, it was a generalizations about appearance and Southern Indian azaleas. It is thus sport of R. simsii. (Galle says that R. bloom time, and not statements about quite understandable that he would simsii sports freely and lists 'Vittatum' plant characteristics and origins. want to use the R. simsii in hybridiz- as one of the sports (14).) ing despite reports of tenderness. In- We note that Fortune identified a ventory records at the Glenn Dale Sta- One source of Wilson's informa- number of Japanese plants in the Pou- tion show that four "Yeung shaan tion was Robert Fortune's book, A Jour- shan Gardens, including Japanese aza- leas, and remarked that these azaleas hung" plants, presumably from ney to the Countries of China, pub- are highly prized by the Chinese. He McClure's seeds, were planted in lished in 1852, in which Fortune de- also describes a later-flowering red ev- the azalea woods ( azalea test area ) scribes his travels in search of tea ergreen azalea with large flowers, and with the other azaleas used as parents plants for purchase and shipment in the Glenn Dale hybridizing. notes that it is said to be a Japanese to England (15). In his travels, For- species. Fortune sent specimens of all tune also described and purchased the azaleas to England. Even though Morrison pre- many other botanical specimens, sented information in Monograph 20 including azaleas. While visiting the about R. simsii and about where he Pou-shan Gardens just outside Shanghai, obtained the plants, neither Lee nor he saw new azaleas in bloom and Chinese Species Azaleas and R. simsii Galle in their books on azaleas cite the described his experience for one of them information. They state that R. simsii thus: Of the many species azaleas na- was formally introduced into the United tive to China, Galle states that only States through seed from China and three have been introduced in the West: "Here a beautiful sight was pre- Hong Kong only beginning in 1937, R. simsii, R. microphyton and R. mariesii sented to the eye. Two large masses of with additional seed coming in 1947 (17). According to our sources, the R. and 1948, and again from 1961 on (11, Azaleas, arranged on each side of a simsii is by far the most common wild 12). As the McClure seed was formally small walk, were covered with flowers azalea in China, so much so that it is introduced, and Morrison mentioned of the most dazzling brightness and synonymous with the general name or seed from Anhwei as the source of R. beauty. Nor were they the common term for azalea, Du juan hua. Wild simsii included in his breeding materi- kinds. Generally they belonged to the azaleas and their blooming in the als, it isn't clear why it wasn't so same section as A. indica (the varieties spring are so well-known and enjoyed

March 1996/THE AZALEAN • 5 that there is even a popular song: j,:r_Zhao shan hong = Light Glenn Dale records show that Morrison assigned the identifying Bell number up the mountain red (flower) (18). of B.32453 in May of 1939 to clones of 4\_t Ag-3 P.I. 71356, "Yeung shaan hung". Ac- The historical and current cording to the records, some clones Du juan hua information was in agreement for a red- were planted in the hybrids section of flowered, probably tender species azalea the azalea woods at Glenn Dale; that However, this confirma- Dan dan di san yue tian, being R. simsii. is, in addition to those plants noted tion didn't resolve our questions and we du juan hua kai zai shan po shang, earlier that were in the Glenn Dale hybrid still were not sure what Morrison used in parent azaleas section. du juan hua kai zai xiao xi pang, the Glenn Dale program. We hoped duo mei le o! seeing and inspecting R. simsii might help The five plants on the Mt. to get answers. Hamilton hillside were located and in- [Light, colorless, mild March days, spected April 22, 1995. They are six to azaleas blossom on the mountain tops, Rhododendron simsii at the National seven feet tall and upright in their azaleas blossom by the small creeks, Arbotettun and Glenn Dale, and 'Vittatum' growth pattern. The flowers are a oh, how beautiful they are! . . .1 at Glenn Dale bright clear pink, just as Morrison stated in Monograph 20, RHS86 - 55A, with red spots, measuring two inches Du juan hua translates as the cuckoo One of us (Bill Miller) remembered (5 cm) across, two to three in a head. bird flower because the azaleas bloom on seeing an azalea identified as R. simsii in There was a consistent ten stamens the mountains in the warming days of the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) in the flowers, and there were virtu- February and March when the cuckoo bonsai collection and photographing it ally no leaves on the plants at the time birds start to sing. Although Du juan hua when in bloom a few years ago. An of inspection. A side-by-side com- was well known to Chinese colleagues inquiry to Bob Dreschler, Curator of parison of the bonsai and hillside we consulted, they were not familiar Bonsai, confirmed such a specimen. He flowers showed an obvious difference: with the name "Yeung shaan hung" obtained the azalea when the bonsai the hillside flowers were clear pink and which appears in the Plant Introduction collection was first housed at the Glenn the bonsai flowers were slightly yel- and Glenn Dale records, but dictionaries Dale Station in the early 1970's at the lowish-pink. they consulted defined "Ying shan hong" encouragement of Dr. John Creech, a Once we knew what the azalea as synonymous with Du juan hua . former Superintendent at Glenn Dale and looked like, the following week we a former Director of the USNA. The R. confirmed the identification of an origi- "Yeung shaan hung" is believed to simsii was growing in a pot in one of the nal R. simsii in the area where it was come from the Cantonese pronunciation greenhouses and was some five or so feet supposed to be in the Glenn Dale woods of a local name for R. simsii, which translit- tall. Dreschler understood the plant had with the parent plants. The only survi- erated by the modem Pinyin system (the been grown from seed, and he was under vor of the original planting of four, the one used in China) is "Ying shan hong", the impression that it was from the seed R. simsii is located in Plot 1, Row 28; it collection used by Morrison; that is, the looks much the same as the plants on t3* k •"` . (As quoted previously, McClure PI 71356 seeds from 1926. the Mt. Hamilton hillside except it is Wilson noted, and presumably Galle about one-half the height. The flowers measure 2-1/4 inches, clear pink copied, that Yin-shan-hung" was the name The R. simsii bonsai was inspected used in central China, that being a spelling (RHS86 - 55A) with red spots, ten sta- this spring. It has single flowers of slightly mens. The plant is semi- evergreen with variation for the Cantonese pronuncia- yellowish-orange pink color (RHS86 - 43D few leaves present at bloom as are the tion) The Cantonese name means: ying = or 48B) with red spotting (50A), measuring ones at the Arboretum. reflect, mirror, or shine; shan = mountain; 2 inches in diameter (4.5 to 5 cm.), two to a and hong = red. A literal translation is head. Most flowers had eight stamens, but Nearby in Plot 1, in Row 35, we reflects mountain red, and means the some had ten. The leaves were medium inspected the two plants of 'Vittatum' whole mountain shines in red when green, 1 x 2 cm. that were used in hybridizing. As with the flower blooms, or perhaps the many or most of the parent azaleas, they still exist at Glenn Dale. They flower makes the mountain reflect in Barbara Bullock, the Curator of have 3-inch flowers, white with me- red . We are told that R. simsii is also Azalea Collections at the USNA, and her dium red-purple (RHS86 - 70B) stripes, known by other names locally in parts assistants have found old identification tags flecks and sectors, and also white- - in the massed planting of Glenn Dale edged flushed flowers and solid col- of China and as :/g-q d- hybrids on the southern slope of Mt. ored flowers. There were eight to ten Hamilton at the Arboretum. One tag stamens; the leaves are dark green, Man shan hong = The whole mountain is had the identification number of slightly hairy, 1-1/4 x 1/2 inches. The red (flower); V'N j Ye shan hong = B.32453 and the statement, five plants. plants are upright to six or seven Wild mountain red (flower) ; and feet, and somewhat open in growth.

6 • THE AZALEAN/March 1996 Our Azalea Society colleague, damaged by winter cold, and he Donald H. Voss, examined nine speci- rates it as hardy to 20 or 15 degrees mens of R. simsii in the National F for flower buds. The Foundation's Arboretum's herbarium collection, plants are described as carmine with and compared them to the authorita- maroon or crimson flecks. All-in-all, tive 1990 description in A Revision of their R. simsii is consistent with the vari- Rhododendron by Chamberlain and ous descriptions. Rae (19). One of the specimens is iden- tified as being from McClure, but, curi- Discussion ously, dated 1925 and from Kwantung, a different province. Don concluded that the specimens fit, within an ac- We have found and confirmed the ceptable range of variation, the descrip- one of four R. simsii-that Morrison used tion in Chamberlain and Rae with the in the Glenn Dale hybridizing program, exception of leaf length which, he Bonsai Rhododendron simsii noted, also varies depending upon at the U.S. National Arboretum. altitude and stage of growth. The Chamberlain and Rae description is a but, like him, have some question about much-branched, twiggy shrub, corolla its correct identification. In his 1946 broadly funnel-shaped, 25-60 mm article in the Arboretum Bulletin of the [1 to 2-3/4 inches], white to dark University of Washington, Morrison red, with eight to ten stamens. Don stated, "These plants are all hardy here could make no comment on flower and remarkably uniform. All are clear color as that is not well retained in her- bright rose pink in color and only mod- barium specimens. erately large in size. This race, if cor- rectly named, is entirely winter hardy" Rhododendron simsii at the (23). Like Morrison, we could accept a Rhododendron Species Foundation variant clear pink flower for what is usually a reddish color, but we differ The Rhododendron Species between us regarding plant hardiness. Foundation is a non-profit educa- tional organization dedicated to the Bill agrees with Morrison that R. conservation of Rhododendron spe- simsii could be hardy in the Washing- cies, located in Federal Way, Washing- ton area because "hardiness" is a more ton, between Tacoma and Seattle (20). The Foundation maintains the complex phenomenon than was here- Rhododendron Species Botanical tofore recognized. Simply because Garden of 24 acres containing more something originates in a temperate cli- than 2,100 varieties of wild Rhododendron sirnsiion Mt. Hamliton mate does not preclude it from being Rhododendrons. Curator Steve Hillside at the U.S. National Aboreturn hardy elsewhere under different Hootman kindly responded to our circumstances. Bill notes it is impor- inquiry for information about R. simsii tant to remember, that in any given spe- (21). He sent us a copy of the listing for cies, hardiness is an individual char- R. simsii from Rhododendrons of China, acteristic which in a seed population Vol. 2, edited by Feng Guomei, which could be just as variable as flower color includes the names, Yingshanhong or size. Raulston and Tripp, in an ar- and Dujuanhua , without explanation ticle published in 1994, noted that en- of the Chinese names. The listing vironmental conditions play a signifi- states that R. simsii is an "ever- green or semi-evergreen shrub, 1-2 cant role in a plant's ability to accli- meters (3 to 6 feet) high ... bright red to mate to severe cold (24). It is therefore deep red flower, broadly funnel-form, conceivable that a species, generally re- 3-4 cm. [ca. 1-1/2 inches] long, 4-6 garded as "tender," could produce in- cm. [1-1/2 to 2-3/4 inches] in diam- dividuals that exhibit considerable har- eter ... with dark red spotting; stamens diness. Dick West,however, agrees with 10" (22). The map with the listing the consensus that R. simsii is tender shows plant locations in southern and, inasmuch as tenderness is shown China and Taiwan. in China and the State of Washington, Close-up of Vittatum' flowers he thinks the azaleas used by Morrison Mr. Hootman stated that then simsii at Glenn Dale. are not correctly named. they have planted outside is regularly

March 1996/THE AZALEAN • 7 We mutually agree that the Conclusion (6) Wilson, E. H. and A. Rehder. A classification of 'Vittatum' as a mutant Monograph of Azaleas. Publications or sport of R. simsii is extremely doubt- Even though we do not agree of the Arnold Arboretum, No. 9. ful. Indeed, after reading Fortune's about whether the plant Morrison used Cambridge, MA: The University account of finding 'Vittatum', it seems in the Glenn Dale azalea hybridizing Press, 1921. clear to us that 'Vittatum' is of un- was really R. simsii, at least we have a known origin. We are surprised that much better understanding of the Ibid., p. 46-47. his use of the word variety in Chinese species azalea and the vari- talking about the different azaleas ous local names for it. We wish there Cox, P. A. The Smaller Rhodo- seen at Pou-chan Gardens, and phrases dendrons. Portland, OR: Timber like "belonged to the same were Azalea Society members in Press, 1985. section", apparently were taken to China and the other areas where R. mean sports, and, therefore, Wilson and simsii grows naturally such that we others after him classed 'Vittatum' as a could inquire further about its Galle, F. C. Azaleas. Portland, variety or sport of R. simsii (Wil- characteristics. We look forward to an OR: Timber Press, 1985, p. 126. son specifically cites page 330 of opportunity some day to see the Du Fortune's book—the text quoted ear- juan hua blossom on the mountain Morrison, B. Y. "Glenn Dale aza- lier—as the authority for 'Vittatum' be- tops and the fiery red of their color. leas". Op. cit., p. 12. ing a variety of R. simsii). We under- stand that variety has been used in Acknowledgment Lee, F. P. The Azalea Book. 2nd the past to mean a mutation or a hy- ed. Princeton, NJ: Van Nostrand, brid, as well as the more common use We wish to thank Margaret S. C. 1965. Reprinted by Theophrastus for just plants in the same species; Feng, Cataloguer in the Division of Publishers, 1978, p. 404. such usage has led to confusion. We Library Operations, National Library think the evidence is that Fortune of Medicine, and Akey C. F. Hung, Galle. Op. cit., p. 402. classed or grouped all azaleas as either Research Entomologist, Agricultural early or late blooming, and may very Research Service, U.S.D.A., for their Wilson and Rehder. Op. cit., p. well have believed that those in valuable assistance in the develop- 48. one or the other section were more- ment of this article. or-less the same with any differences Galle. Op. cit., p. 126. being merely variations of the common plant, but he did not say that 'Vittaturn' was a sport or variety of another aza- References Fortune, R. A Journey to the Tea lea. We do not understand how Wil- Countries of China: including son made such a conclusion if he based (1) Because of the genus change from Sung Lo and the Bohea Hills. it only on Fortune's text. Azalea to Rhododendron, 'Vittatum' Map, illustrations. : is now the correct name for what John Murray, 1852. Even before reading Fortune, we was called 'Vittata Fortunei. doubted 'Vittatum' was a sport of R. Ibid., p. 330. simsii based on observation and (2) Morrison, B. Y. The Glenn Dale currentinformation. 'Vittatum' has a Azaleas. U.S. Department of Galle. Op. cit., p. 125. bigger flower, and we are not famil- Agriculture Monograph 20, iar with white-striped sports coming Washington, D.C., October 1953, We note there is some confusion from self-colored-flowering azaleas. p. 8. about local names for Chinese spe- Even though some have suggested R. cies azaleas. According to Galle simsii sports, we cannot find any re- (3) The database is published as: (op. cit., p. 132, 77), the name, "Man ports of such behavior. We now see Miller III, W. C. and R. T. West. shan hong", is applied also to that all the evidence given for the ori- The Bell Book: A Companion to Rhododendron mariesii, a pale red- gin of 'Vittatum' comes from the same Monograph 20. Bethesda, MD: dish purple or rose deciduous source: Wilson's citation of Fortune's The Azalea Works, 1993. azalea that grows on the moun- book. Frankly, given Fortune's descrip- tains and areas of southeast and tion, we think the better conclusion is (4) U. S. Department of Agriculture. central China, and in Taiwan. that 'Vittatum' is unrelated to R. simsii, Plant Inventory, No. 90. For those viewing native aza- but may be of Japanese origin. Based Washington, D.C.: U.S. leas blooming red on the moun- primarily on flower size, Bill sees a Government Printing Office, tain, the fact that there may be strong resemblance to the Hirado aza- leas like 'Omurasaki' and its sport 1929, p. 21. more than one species involved 'George Lindley Taber'. Of course, probably isn't too relevant. We 'Vittatum' may be related also to one (5) Morrison, B. Y. "Glenn Dale aza- understand that R. simsii is the of the many other Chinese species leas". Arboretum Bulletin of the more common azalea by far, so azaleas as well. University of Washington, Win- we are unsure what to make of ter 1946, 9(4), p. 11-13, 19. Galle' s designation.

S • THEAZALEAN/March1996 (19) Chamberlain, D. F. and S. J. Rae. AZALEA QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS "A Revision of Rhododendron, IV Subgenus Tsutsusi". Journal of Botany, QUESTION: "I read once that 'George Lindley Taber' is a sport of another azalea just as 1990, 47(2), p. 89-200. 'Mrs. G. G. Gerbing 'is a sport of G. L. Taber. I have never been able to find out what G. L. T's parent plant is. Can you please tell me? Also, is it a compatible color for planting with G. L. Taber?" (20) The Rhododendron Species Foundation, P.O. Box 3798, Fed- ANSWER: 'George Lindley Tabef is a sport of' Omurasald, a three-and-one-half-inch, violet eral Way, WA 98063, telephone red flower with a red blotch. It was selected many years ago by Dr. H. Harold Hume, Provost (206) 661-9377. andDean Emeritus of theCollegeof Agriculture of theUniversity of Florida. 'Omurasald would be an excellent companion planting for `George Lindley Taber' or 'Mrs. G. G. Gerbing`, and (21) Personal communication from since they are really just different expressions of the same genetic material, it is likely that you Steve Hootman to Richard West, will eventually see the other two no matter which of the three you start with. August 16, 1995. QUESTION: From Oneonta, New York: "I have two questions (1) Most folks here have (22) Guomei, F., ed. Rhododendrons of given up trying to winter over azaleas. I may have too, but found I had to rearrange and China, Volume 2. Forestburgh, NY: replant my garden beds. I may lose 1/2 the plant, have little or no blooms and, some winter Lubrecht and Cramer, Ltd., 1992, burn. Hume used burlaping and find, using straw, piling it high as the plant, can salvage the p. 207. azalea with the above results. I would truly like to see my garden bloom. (2) 1 have approximately 72 shrubs, azaleas, rhododendrons and hemlocks in four beds measuring (23) Morrison. "Glenn Dale azaleas". about ten feet wide by 55 feet long. So, a bit of a distance to cover for winter. We are in zone Op. cit., p. 12. 5 but think zone 4; snowfall can be between ten inches to 56 inches annually. Frost can go down a few feet with temperatures from ten below to 34 degrees on average." Raulston, J. C. and K. E. Tripp. (24) ANSWER: Without knowing which azaleas you have, it is not possible for me to determine Exploring the complexities of if you are trying to grow azaleas unsuited for your climate. All azaleas are not created equal plant hardiness. Arnoldia, Fall and some would, by their veryconstitution, be marginal or totally inappropriate for your area. 1994, p. 22-31. Over the last 20 to 30 years, there has been a lot of work done in the development of cold- Richard T. West is a long-time mem- hardy azaleas. Some of the more hardy evergreen hybrid groups are: the Gable hybrids ber of the Azalea Society of America and (Stewartstown, PA), the Girard hybrids (Geneva, OH), and the Schroeder hybrids (Evans- frequently writes articles for THE ville, IN). If you acquire new azaleas, you should consider cultivars from these groups. AZALEAN. He is especially interested in the Glenn Dale azaleas. As for the problems that you experienced, snowfall is often beneficial since it tends to insulate azaleas fromextreme cold temperature. The greatestproblemwith snow comesfromthe weight aspect and some breakage can occur if conditions are right (a wet snow). There are multiple William C. Miller III, co-Chairman reasons why plants do not bloom. Was it that the flower buds were killed? Are your plants in of the Azalea Society of America's Member- too much shade such that they did not develop buds? Sometimes the overhead canopy can ship Committee and Chairman of the Public graduallybecome too thick so that too shady a situation develops over time. Finally, did you Information Committee, is a recipient of the trim or prune your azaleas in the fall? The flowers for the next season begin to develop in the Society's Distinguished Service Award. He summer and any pruning that takes place in the fall is at the expense of the next year's bloom. is a former Vice President of the Society and a long-time ASA member. He is a member QUESTION: "I would like to know if there is an azalea available that meets my of the Brookside qualifications. It must be small, compact, slow growing, evergreen in the winter and have Gardens Chapter. He is frequent fuschia flowers. I have a very small garden." contributor to THE AZALEAN. ANSWER: Yourrequestis a pretty tough order. Thedosest one that comes to mind is'Girard's All photographs by Richard West Fuchsia' which was developed in Ohio. 'Girard's Fuchsia' is evergreen though the foliage can have a rather attractive bronzy cast during the winter. Most people really like that feature. The printing of the color photographs in this article is sponsored by the Brookside It is not a terribly fast grower but its tendency is upright and, given enough time, it could Gardens Chapter. achieve at least three feet. If you plant it in the shade it will try to reach for the sun. If you plant it in an area that gets lots of light, then it will remain more compact. Even if it eventually got too big for your tastes, you could cut it back.CI

Please send in your questions and we'll do our best to find answers.

March 1996/THE AZALEAN • 9