While Ghent, Knap Hill, Exbury and other related hybrids may have some native American blood in them, they are for the most part hybridized for the European climate. In the United States, particularly in the southeastern area where most American azaleas thrive, these hybrids in general eventually die. They are susceptible to mildew, seem to dislike our heat and humidity, and need more cold days. Bred for large colorful flowers, many of these hybrids are quite spectacular. To some, however, the large flowers seem out of proportion to the size of the leaves and plant habit, as if they were on steroids. The pictures in this album were taken by Joe Coleman, who once had a large selection of these hybrids in his Atlanta, GA area garden. Most are now dead. More recently, American hybridizers like the Dodds and Eugene Aromi have crossed Exburys with our R. austrinum to get large-flowered plants that can take our climate conditions. Their results (Aromi hybrids and Dodd Confederate Series) have been quite successful.