The Arboretum has many plantings of Azaleas and other Rhododendrons, many of which are hybrids that have been developed for horticultural use. Most of these have bloomed in May. Cumberland Azalea (Rhododendron cumberlandense), however, is a native species which is found on the Cumberland Plateau and in the mountains of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Northern Georgia and Alabama. A showy example of this Azalea, can be seen in bloom near the Visitors Center in early June. This specimen was transplanted from the Cumberland Plateau several years ago.

Cumberland Azalea is similar to the Flame Azalea (R. calendulaceum) found at higher elevations in the Smokies and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. These two species along with other azaleas form hybrid swarms on Gregory Bald in the Smokies. The orange to red flowers of Cumberland Azalea are smaller than those of Flame Azalea and appear after the leaves are fully expanded.

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