Species In Our Midst
Rhododendron cumberlandense

Rhododendron cumberlandense 'Camp's Red'
Picture by S & J Perkins

Subgenus Pentanthera Section Pentanthera,

This deciduous azalea was formerly named after Dr. W. F Baker, Emery University, USA. R. bakeri is commonly called the Cumberland Azalea and its name has been revised to R. cumberlandense. This North American azalea is hardy to -15 degrees. The leaves are small obovate deep green above and waxy underneath. The 1 3/4 inch wide flowers are tubular funnel shaped in trusses of 4 to 7. They are usually orange to orange red (sometimes, salmon, salmon apricot, clear yellow) and are often mistaken for the flame azalea (R. calendulaceum) in the wild. This deciduous azalea blooms very late and therefore flowers after the leaves are fully expanded. Sometimes natural hybrids with R. arborescens are clear yellows and pinks; the name R. furbishi has been given to this hybrid group from northern Georgia.

'Camp's Red', a registered name for a single clone of R. bakeri, has a strong red color when grown in the mountains and a lighter color at lower altitudes.