Named after a north American native Indian princess in the song by Jimmy Driftwood, 'Mooshatanio' is a choice, rare selection of our native Florida Flame Azalea, Rhododendron austrinum, crossed with Rhododendron 'Hotspur Yellow', an Exbury Azalea. This beauty will dominate the landscape with an absolutely breathtaking and abundant display of dark red buds that open to brilliant orange-red flowers in large ball trusses that exude a wonderful honeysuckle-like sweet fragrance in the garden. The pistil and stamens extend well beyond the mouth of the flower in a graceful upward curve. One of the most heat and humidity tolerant of all the native azaleas, it is a more vigorous grower than the species. Mildew-free, dark green leaves turn orange-bronze in fall for extra appeal.

Landscape & Garden Uses

With an upright rounded irregular form to about 10 feet tall and 6 feet or so wide, the Mooshatanio Native Azalea is ideal 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 theme gardens, native plant gardens and cottage gardens.