Plant them slightly higher than the area around them to ensure good drainage. The ones that I relocate from rescues are planted on a mounded area with the roots draped down the sides. You can also amend the soil beneath them with composted pine bark (sold as "soil conditioner" around here) or mini pine nuggets.

Naturally they grow with shallow roots, so don't pile too much around them.

Keep the soil around the plant moist until the roots are well established, which usually takes about a year. I will also mention that some plants are shy blooming, I have calendulaceum and other species that are more than 10 years old and 6' tall, that have never bloomed and are adjacent to others that bloom each year.
Rb

Woaa. Native azaleas do love as much sun as you can give them. Betty Cummins, who ran a rhododendron/azalea nursery here in NJ and who was amongst the most successful growers of native azaleas (getting seeds from Towe, Berg, Wise, Delp, etc) over a period of 30 years grew them and grew them well in full sun. If you want LESS flowers, plant them in the shade.

I have over 100 differnet azaleas/rhodies on my property. The ones in full sun???? austrinum, calendulaceum, canescens, prinophyllum, prunifolium, atlanticum, arborescens, arbXbakerii (Be excited. The plants that are coming are wonderful. Don't let them dry out, yet don't over water them either. Mounding them isn't necessary either as I remember the 100's of Bettys all in neat rows and none of them mounded.

Good luck.

The only other issue is ability to handle cold winter winds. You've choosen some decidedly southern plants. Of the plants you list, their cold hardiness from least to most: austrinum, canescens, prunifolium, calundulaceum. You should have absolutely no problems with calundulaceum. The others, in particular the austrinum, I would protect in winter with some kind of structure, or at least a burlap wind shield protecting them from north winds especially. I grew prunifolium in zone 6b years ago and sometimes lost flower buds but not the leave buds. Canescens should be similar, but I've had no experience with it that far north. The austrinum I'd put in a very sheltered spot, preferably out of the bad winds, and cross your fingers

As far as sun goes, yes, the more the better for good blooming. You may find prunifolium to get a bit chlorotic looking by August if you don't water enough. I wouldn't plant austrinum in the sun, even in your zone. The others can take sun with impunity. Don't forget to use plenty of organics in the soil. PF

Plantfreak is right, at least his? observations are what I have noted regarding hardiness.
My Austrinum dies back every year and I have seen one flower in three years. I guess I will wrap it this Winter.
You should try to get R. flammeum. I have the cultivar called 'Double Pleasure' and it performs well here in 6b.
Beautiful maroon flowers and nice reddish fall color.

Rx

Rx,

Yes, I've been male all my life. PF

Calendulaceum is native to Kentucky and the other plants all said zone 6. They also said part shade. I bought them from Niche Nursery in North Carolina.

I am in the suburbs, not in the country, so we don't get the bitter wind that can occur in the open.

I grow crape myrtles in the same general area. My mother, who lives an hour south of me and in the country has hers die back every year. Mine are 12 ft tall and haven't died back in the 10 or so years that I have had them.

So basically, I think this is a little micro climate area that doesn't get as harsh a wind as other areas. They will get sun, but not sun all day long. And I am thinking that dappled sun and bright light will work, too.

Most of them will be on a hillside, so I don't think that drainage will be a problem.

So, basically, which one can take the most sun?

Sharon

This is an old thread, lol. Just wanted to add that I have had an Austrinum in 100% full sun here in my Maryland garden- z 7, for about 4 years and it does well. It never gets leaf burn and never withers from too much sun. I also have right next to it a hyrbid (florida x coastal x pinxter) also in full sun and the foliage holds up perfectly until it drops the leaves in fall. So I think full sun= thriving native azalea. At least here in MD...Zone 8's in the South might be a differnt story.

Protect them from deer!