The Azalea Camellia Garden

Overview: The azalea-camellia garden is a taxonomically organized garden in that most of the plants found here are azaleas and camellias.

A closer look: The azalea-camellia garden is a taxonomically organized garden in that most of the plants found here are azaleas (belonging to the Ericaceae family) or are camellias (Theaceae family).  Azaleas and camellias are unusual shrubs because they bloom profusely in the shade, a characteristic uncommon to most plants that require more light for flower production.

Although there are azaleas (Rhododendron sp.) native to the U.S., many more azalea species are found in Asia.  However, the majority of today’s azaleas with showy flowers are cultivars.  The various cultivars and hybrids of azaleas provide color in the early Spring.  Like most members of the family Ericaceae, azaleas prefer acid soils.

Camellias are evergreen shrubs belonging to the genus Camellia.  They are native to southeastern Asia, although many of the plants you see today are cultivars.  Most of the camellias in this garden are cultivars belonging to the species Camellia japonica.  Camellias flower during the winter when little other color is evident in the gardens. Like azaleas, they prefer acid soils.