by Connie LeClair
The evergreen low-growing azaleas are very useful in a woodland garden. Some are very flat, some stay about 18" tall and other are somewhat taller but have a spreading shape rather than upright and bushy.
This group are very low maintenance, as they need little if any pruning. They serve as ground covers under trees, on the apex of a curve as a focal point, on banks, as well as fronting taller rhododendrons. Their small leaves are a contrast to larger leaved rhododendrons.
I recommend the following with which I have experience, but there are many more:
Hilda Nibblet: Splotched light and dark pink. I have a group of three on a corner. Not only beautiful in flower, but wonderful foliage and I have never had to prune it. Late blooming. SIR ROBERT is similar.
Michael Hill: Pink. Have it under a Cornus Kousa. Blooms at the same time in June. Needs very little pruning. Many of Polly Hills azaleas are low growing. Sally Perkins also recommends MARYDEL, ALEXANDER, JOSEPH HILL, and SUSANNAH HILL. These are very tempting to rabbits.
Balsaminaeflorum: Coral. Very double. Late. One of my favorites. Have it on a northeast facing bank. Never fails to flower well.
Kiusianum: I have alba, but there are many others. Tiny leaves.
Gumpo: Comes in pink or white. Single late blooms.
Nancy of Robinhill: Pale pink blotched red ad ruffled. Very beautiful. I have used it to under plant trees and face larger rhodies. Needs some pruning.
Komo Kulshan: Dark pink with a pale pink center. Needs some pruning of long stems.
Yuka: Coral. Tops the stone wall in the Display Garden in Orleans.
I recommend putting chicken wire around all newly planted small azaleas until they put on some growth. They do well planted in partial shade and need water in our dry summers.