At 650 Auburn, there are hundreds of azaleas and rhododendrons blooming from early spring through summer. Some are deciduous (they lose their leaves at the end of the growing season and new foliage appears in spring), while others are evergreen. Certain varieties are ever-blooming like the Encore series, which flowers over a period of months.
For the purpose of clarification, it helps to know that all azaleas belong to the genus Rhododendron, but not all rhododendrons are azaleas. For example, the popular piedmont azalea, Rhododendron canescens, is a type of native azalea. In spring, it offers delightfully spicy sweet flowers that appear on bare branches before the new foliage emerges. Mature specimens may reach 10 feet to 15 feet tall over time.
Later in May or early June, the air is filled with the perfume of the swamp azalea, Rhododendron viscousum. This native tolerates wet soils but will grow happily in average garden soils, provided it gets regular water.
A perennial favorite of both humans and butterflies is Rhododendron prunifolium, the plumleaf azalea with stunning red to bright orange blooms that appear in late July to August. Plants can easily grow to heights of 15 feet or taller.
Large leaf evergreen rhododendrons are not the first plant that comes to mind for Southern gardens, but with the right location and adequate moisture, there are a number of selections, both native and exotic, that thrive. A few stalwart selections are listed below. When possible, look for “Iron Clad selections.” These are well suited to tolerate the extreme heat and humidity we experience in the South.
- Rhododendron “Anna Rose Whitney” – deep pink flowers
- Rhododendron ‘Janet Blair’ – pink, cream and gold flowers
- Rhododendron ‘Nova Zembla’ – deep red flowers, almost bluish red
- Rhododendron ‘Roseum Elegans’ – lavender pink flowers
- Rhododendron ‘Scintillation’ – pink flowers
Lawn
In 1993 When the Property was build, Centipede Grass was installed in the Front and Rear garden together with adjacent property. Signal or decay during the years mixed with Bermuda Grass helping to to recover while Centipede take over the lawn.
In 2023 the Backyard Barn Lawn was planted with Zenon Zoysia Grass to make it resistant to shade since the area is covered by trees.
Project Made in 7/21/95
By WINSLOW JONES Landscape Architect - LANDSCAPES DESIGN THROUGH INSTALLATION
West Graden
- Loud Nine Dogwod
- Krume Azalea
- Dafodills "Carlton
- Rhododendron
- Virgina Pine
- ARBOR SWING, Stepping Stone Path
- Seasonal Color Beds
Front Garden
- Hydrangea
- Southern magnolia
- Crape Myrtle
- Otto luken Laurel
- Blue pacific Juniper
- Emely Bruner holly
- compacta holly
- Helery Holly
West Front Entry
- Mailbox + Clematist Vine + % Compacta #2
- Seasonal Color beds
- 3+3 Red Maple 4"Caliper (Strong Lead)
- 15 Corissa Holly #5
- 28-35 Clumps & Yellow Day Lillys
- 13 Needle Point Holly #7 Can
- 1,2 Nelly R. Stevens 7-8'
- 225 + 200 Parsoni Juniper #2
- 9+5 Bradford Pear 3'Caliper (Matched)
East Garden
- 14 Nelly R. Stevens 5-6'
- 9+9+9+9+9 Day Lilly/ or Canna Lilly
- 3+21 Dwarf Burford #7
East Front Entry
- 12 Hydrangea 4'
- Existing Trees
Note: Install 2 -2 ½ High Stacked Tenni Fieldstone Walls with 2x2x2 ½ Capped end Post + Capped Wall ( Note Curve of wall )