Discovered by Bill and Tom Dodd near the Escatawpa River in southwestern Alabama, 'Escatawpa' is another choice, rare and hard-to-find selection of Rhododendron austrinum, commonly called "Florida Flame" Native Azalea. Before new leaves emerge in spring, Escatawpa dominates the landscape with an absolutely breathtaking display of abundant, large rounded clusters of fragrant gold to golden-orange funnel-shaped flowers with wide petals and light red tubes. The pistil and stamens extend well beyond the mouth in a graceful upward curve. The flowers produce a delightful honeysuckle-like fragrance that is enjoyed by butterflies, hummingbirds and humans alike. One of the most heat and humidity tolerant of all the native azaleas, it is a more vigorous grower than the species to a height of around 10 feet and maybe half as wide. Very lustrous, mildew-free, dark green leaves turn orange-bronze in fall.

Landscape & Garden Uses

With an upright rounded irregular form to 10 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide, the Escatawpa Native Azalea is perfect for use a specimen or in clusters in woodland borders or other shady to partially shaded areas. as this native azalea grows taller lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small specimen tree for use in home foundation plantings or landscape borders. Also useful in pots, planters and other containers. A fine addition to azalea gardens, orange or yellow theme gardens, native plant gardens and cottage gardens.