Chinchulla Oconee Azalea
Rhododendron flammeum 'Chinchulla'
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The Oconee azalea is the native azalea of our own ground. Rhododendron flammeum grows wild in a narrow band of the Piedmont from the Savannah River west across middle Georgia, on dry wooded slopes and the bluffs above creeks, and nowhere else on earth. William Bartram passed through this country in 1773 and wrote of hillsides "flaming" with azaleas in a dozen shades from yellow through orange to crimson, and the name that stuck, flammeum, is the Latin for exactly that. Of all the Southern natives this is the one that takes the most heat and the driest ground, and the one whose flowers vary most from plant to plant, which is why the serious growers have always walked the Oconee hills in April with flagging tape.
'Chinchulla' is a named selection of the Oconee azalea from Superior Trees in Lee, Florida, the native azalea growers who have introduced several R. flammeum forms over the years. [PLACEHOLDER: flower color and the story behind the name to confirm with Superior Trees.] Like every Oconee selection the plant flowers in April, after the Piedmont azalea and with the Alabama azalea, in rounded trusses of funnel-shaped blooms that open before the leaves have fully expanded. The species is not fragrant, and makes up for that with color and sheer density of bloom.
Expect a well-branched, upright deciduous shrub of six to ten feet, stouter and more compact than the Piedmont azalea, with mid-green leaves that color orange and red in fall. The Oconee azalea wants what the Oconee hills give: sharp drainage, acidic soil, high shade from pines or hardwoods, and a tolerance for summer drought once the roots are down. Keep the crown high, mulch with pine straw, and water through the first year; after that the plant is among the toughest azaleas you can grow.
Plant 'Chinchulla' on a wooded bank or a raised bed where the April trusses catch low morning light, with R. canescens blooming ahead and R. prunifolium behind for three months of native azalea bloom. These 3 gallon plants are budded for spring and available for pickup at the nursery.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 6–8
- Sun
- Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, Acid, Dry
- Mature size
- Height 6–10 Feet · Spread 4–8 Feet
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Seasonality
- Deciduous
- Provenance
- Grown by Superior Trees, Lee, Florida
Rounded trusses in April before the leaves fully expand; color to confirm
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
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Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
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