Azaleas

We were not familiar with azaleas before moving back to Northern Virginia many years ago. Once there we realized how beautiful they are and enjoyed them in our yard. The National Arboretum in North East Washington, D.C. was a “must visit” during the azalea season each spring. Visitors often commented at the contrast between the beauty, peace and tranquility in the arboretum compared to the drive out New York Avenue to get there. We lived in the Mantua area of Fairfax County Virginia the last few years we were in the area. Prosperity Avenue in Fairfax County Virginia, is a minor street between Rt. 50 and the Little River Turnpike that we traveled to our home There was a place on the east side of Prosperity that had a collection of azaleas and rhododendrons fitting a nursery. We too added many azaleas to the plantings in our yard on Laurel Leaf Lane. It was a beautiful place and I once made a comment that, “No one should have to live where azaleas don't thrive” but here we are in Nebraska. The azalea pictured is a small sample of what we had in Virginia but it did make it through the past winter and we do have other compensations.