On Saturday, some members of my garden club braved the on-again, off-again rain to go tour my friend Joan's azaleas. Joan has what some say is the largest personal collection of native azaleas in the US (some 6,000 plants!), and even in the rain, these flowers are absolutely stunning! I'm pretty sure it was after touring Joan's gardens some years ago that I was inspired to acquire the only azalea teacup I've ever found. Roses, daisies, daffodils, chrysanthemums and lots of other flowers are regularly seen on teacups, but I don't believe you'll often see azaleas on one!
Several years ago, I read a book by British author Jane Brown titled "Tales of the Rose Tree: Ravishing Rhododendrons and Their Travels Around the World" which helped me understand the difference between rhododendrons and azaleas. My main takeaway from the book: "All azaleas are rhododendrons." And if you really like to split hairs, as I sometimes do, the UGA Extension Service says, "All azaleas are rhododendrons, and both are in the genus Rhododendron. The term 'rhododendron,' however, is commonly used to refer to the group of plants usually with large, leathery, evergreen foliage, while 'azalea' refers to those with smaller, thinner leaves."
Like a lot of southerners, I have long loved our spring azaleas, and when I read this passage in Jane Brown's book, I loved them even more: "Old as they are, rhododendrons are descended from the more ancient magnolia (Magnoliaceae) and tea (Theaceae) families and so have ancestral connections to the tulip trees (linodendron), camellias, stewartias and the franklinia." So next time you're enjoying the beautiful colors of spring azaleas, you can derive a little tea-lover satisfaction from knowing that the camellia sinensis plant we're so fond of is also a relative of the azalea. And just because the flowers are so pretty, I thought I'd share a few more photos from Saturday's tour. Are any of you azalea fans?
Beautiful pictures and great information. And yes, I'm a fan!
ReplyDeleteAngela, I am a fan of azaleas! Mine are just beginning to burst into bloom. Thanks for the botany lesson! ♥
ReplyDeleteMine are just budding. They have so many wonderful colors!
ReplyDeleteOur azalea plants have tiny peeks of blooms beginning. Many of the plants appear to be damaged from the harsh late winter snows here.
ReplyDeleteWe recently had our beautiful annual Azalea Trail in Tyler, Texas. The first week there weren't a lot of blooms, but by the second week they were in full bloom. I've never seen the fancy ones like your friend has. Ours are the more common type in colors of white, pink, coral and red. It's always fun to drive the "trail" in the historic district and see all the beautiful gardens. Yes, I am a fan!
ReplyDeleteJust lovely! I just planted to Azalea's this weekend.
ReplyDeleteJust lovely!
ReplyDeleteThis is someone's home? Amazing! Martha
ReplyDeleteBreathtakingly beautiful! Thanks for 'inviting us along for the tour!'
ReplyDeleteJanet P.
Beautiful! God has given us so many wonderful things to enjoy on our planet earth. Blessings, Nancy Carr
ReplyDeleteI have a teacup just like this one but never realized those purple flowers were azaleas. Your photos are lovely!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I do love azaleas and rhodies. Our azaleas have been blooming for awhile, but I just noticed today that the rhodies are beginning to bloom. Oh so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Thanks for sharing
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