Hi, Nell ... nice pictures. And thank you for asking the horticulturist about crossing flame azaleas. I did find some info about someone who had created flame azalea hybrids, and it said that the orange would tend to dominate any crosses. Since I already have an orange color that needs no improving, I don't know what my goal would be. Maybe if I could cross the flame azalea with another intense color, it would be fun to see what the resulting hybrids would look like. Or maybe if I could cross the flame azalea with an evergreen azalea I could see how that went. I have heard about colchicine, but I believe I read that it can be an unsafe substance ... I think there is a post here somewhere about using a certain weed killer instead of colchicine to induce the mutation. I've never tried anything like that ... but I do think about it from time to time. And I figured out a trick ... go to azaleas.org and search that site for the word "tetraploid", and you find references to tetraploid azaleas. I see a "Casablanca Tetra", "Road Runner", "Cream Ruffles", "Pink Gloria", "Anytime Tetra", "Guy Yerkes Tetra", "Hershey Red", "Chimes Tetra" ... and also a species "atlanticum f. tetraploid". If anybody here has any of these, I would trade for a budstick that I could force in a vase and get pollen from (things are still dormant in my area). Here is a link that might be useful: flame azalea hybrid

Both do well in part sun to shade. Acidic, well drained soil. Feed once or twice a year (after blooming and in late Fall), in one spot about a foot from the base (one spoonful of Azelea/Rhod fertilizer) about two to three inches deep. This technique comes from Plant Delights in Pine Mountain GA.

kathy- It's difficult to predict how a native Azalea will perform, but generally they produce more blooms if exposed to some sunlight or bright dappled shade in the summer. Having said that, I have one, R.flammeum(Oconee Azalea) that is in nearly total shade all year and it has bloomed profusely, every year, for at least 20 years, while some species receiving several hours of either morning or afternoon sun in the summer and all day in the winter, often do not bloom at all. As long as the soil is moist, they should grow well for you. Some species will tolerate more moisture than others, There is a GNPS rescue site near Snellville where I observed some growing in a bog, with standing water several inches deep. There were no blooms and didn't see any flower buds, so couldn't identify the species. Try them in a location and if they aren't performing well, you can rather easily move them. Rb

We moved here May 31 2009 and discovered many wonderful plants/trees. I am going to attempt to start some root cuttings from a yellow azalea and an orange azalea that have been on the property for quite some time and are in the shade much of the year. The orange one only had 4 blooms & is very tall, (trying to get to the sun?) The yellow had a lot of blooms and is leggy. I took some photos when they were blooming, will try and get them posted. ANY ADVICE ON how to take care of the cuttings? The guy who built this place in 1988 did a good job with his plantings. 3 acres with mosses, ferns, trees (Franklinia, need advice for propagating too)creek coming down the mountain. Have Cherry, persimmon, blueberries, grapes, pears, asian pears, blackberries, nut trees. Has an old pond that needs a lot of work to restore... Anyone else here in the mountains, near Andrews/Murphy? Fillows4@aol.com