USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-10b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 5-8'
Width at Maturity: 4-6'
Flower Color: Orange, Red, Yellow, Apricot, Pink, Coral,
Flower Size: Medium to Large 2-3"
Flowering Period: Early to Mid Spring
Flower Type: Single, Trumpet-shape
Fragrant Flowers: No
Foliage Color: Medium Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: No
Berry Color: NA
Sun Needs: Shade or Mostly Shade, Dappled Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun,
Water Needs: Average, Lower when established, Water often during drought
Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist
Soil pH: 4.5 - 6.0 (Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Heat, Humidity, Insect, Shade
Description
We are very happy to be offering 'Father Ryan', one of a handful native azaleas we've seen that produces flowers with multiple rows of petals. An extremely scarce naturally occurring hybrid of the Oconee Azalea (Rhododendron x flammeum), for several weeks in spring, Father Ryan shows off abundant large clusters of up to 15 pinkish-red buds that open to truly unique double flowers in brilliant tropical shades of orange, pink, yellow and red. Absolutely beautiful!
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 5 to 8 tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, the Father Ryan Oconee Native Azalea is perfect for use a specimen or in clusters in woodland borders or other shady to partially shaded areas. As this native azalea grows taller lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small specimen tree for use in home foundation plantings or landscape borders. Can also be grown in pots, planters and other containers. A fine addition to azalea gardens, native plant gardens and cottage gardens.
Suggested Spacing: We do not recommend as a hedge. Plant 10 feet or more for space between plants
Growing Preferences
The Father Ryan Oconee Native Azalea is very easy to grow. It prefers moist but well-drained humus rich soil and dappled shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. Once established it is quite drought tolerant requiring supplemental water only during prolonged periods of dry summer weather. Native azaleas are very low-maintenance requiring little if any pruning. That said, occasionally we might prune a stray branch that is spoiling the natural form of the plant.
