Rhododendron austrinum

The Florida Astrium is an upright, deciduous shrub with loose, irregular branches. Native to northern Florida, southern Georgia, and stretching west to southern Alabama and Mississippi, it thrives in moist woods and along streams. In early spring, its fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers bloom in dense clusters of 8-15, just before or as the foliage appears. The flowers come in a variety of colors, from yellow to peach to orange-red.