Unfortunately, many gardeners try to grow varieties that are not suited to their area and are disappointed with their results. Variety selection is very important in any section of the state.
Cold hardiness is a major factor in selecting varieties.
Azaleas are very different in the capacity of both plants and flowers to withstand cold injury. Flower differences occur between many cultivars, and flowers can differ within a cultivar. The basic flower forms are illustrated in Figure 1. To avoid confusion in classifying azalea varieties, the more common groups that grow well in the state are described below. The first Kurume azaleas were brought to the United States from Japan around 1915, causing a wave of popularity of the evergreen azaleas.