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It's Azalea Time!

I often identify places I lived while growing up with flowers.  Hawaii . . . the wonderfully scented plumeria;    Maine . . . the gorgeous lilac that grew outside my bedroom window; Mississippi . . . the beautiful azalea.  Around here, you know "Spring has Sprung" when the azaleas are in bloom.  Azaleas are referred to as the "royalty of the garden".  The Mississippi Gulf Coast is ablaze with color this time of year as well as many other southern destinations, thanks to this hardy plant. If you live in a part of the world still in the grips of winter, kick back, put on some cute flip flops, drink a glass of sweet iced tea, dream of warm weather, and enjoy the view compliments of my southern home . . . Mississippi!
(Flower Images)A
Azaleas are best grown wild and free.  Some gardeners try to make a hedge of the bush, but at a cost of losing the free flowing nature of azaleas and many of the blooms.  The picture below is of the beloved Stanton Hall (circa 1858) in Natchez, MS. Just imagine sipping a cool glass of lemonade while sitting on the veranda.
And yet another lovely Natchez plantation in its spring glory. Natchez is currently hosting the annual spring pilgrimage.  This year twenty-nine antebellum homes open their doors to guests.  It is a wonderful event and a feast for the eyes. Stop by this link for more information.   Natchez Pilgrimage
Azaleas and oaks are beautiful together.  Kind of like peanut butter and jelly!  Red azaleas take the lead here.  One beautiful variety is the ruffled red known as the Rutherdordiana hybrid.  I think the red fades quickly so at Still Woods we plant only the hot pink, pale pink, and the white varieties. 
(mostbeautifulflower.com)
There are many varieties of azaleas.  This is one of my favorite colors known as Formosa and is located behind the house.  I can't wait until it grows up.
I am so blessed to enjoy azaleas on my way to work.  It was a dreary day yesterday, but I snapped these photos on my way home.  In fact, this photo was taken steps from the door to my office building.  Lucky me! 
I hope the drive to Still Woods looks like this one day!  They have alternated several varieties including red, white, and the bright pink azaleas.
One last beautiful look at azaleas.  Told you that oaks and azaleas are meant to be together. . . like two peas in a pod.  I love the look of old gnarly oaks stretching against the sky softened by the beauty of azaleas.  I think a spring picnic would be wonderful under the oaks. Please join me!
Spring blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse!

Sharing with
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Comments

  1. Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynestMarch 23, 2013 at 12:52 PM

    The thing I remember the most about when we lived in Memphis is the beautiful azaleas in the older neighborhoods this time of year. Pretty post :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsMarch 23, 2013 at 1:17 PM

      Hi Vicki! Do you still live in the south? I love the established azaleas found in older neighborhoods and wooded areas. Great memories! Thank you for visiting today!

      Delete
  2. SuzanMarch 24, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    All the azaleas ARE lovely!! I need to get out and fertilize my own today in fact. In two weeks- I'm taking my yankee husband to Savannah for his first time and I do hope that all the azaleas will be in full bloom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsMarch 24, 2013 at 1:10 PM

      I bet your Yankee husband will love Savannah! I hope you share your Savannah trip on your blog.
      Blessings from Still Woods

      Delete
  3. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeMarch 24, 2013 at 6:02 PM

    Gorgeous homes! If I could have my "dream" it would be a Southern Plantation...they are gorgeous! Your photos are beautiful and I do love azaleas! Just posted a bit on our SC Historic Plantation tour and have much more pictures to upload and post...we love touring these old homes!
    Following you back!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsMarch 24, 2013 at 8:00 PM

      I agree, southern plantations are beautiful. Looking forward to visiting you and reading about South Carolina historic plantation tour! Sounds like a great treat! Thank you for visiting and following back!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  4. Cottage and BroomeMarch 24, 2013 at 7:28 PM

    Oh my, I have spring envy, the azaleas are amazing! Your part of the country is so beautiful this time of year. We are still supposed to get flurries here in Michigan this week, so sad. Thanks for stopping by to my garden from last summer. Thanks for following, your new follower, Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsMarch 24, 2013 at 8:03 PM

      I remember one Easter in Maine where we hunted eggs in the snow! It is a great memory. Sounds like you may be hiding eggs in the snow this year! I hope that warmer days are just around the corner. Thanks for following me back!
      Blessings from Still Woods

      Delete
  5. Patricia @ 9th and DenverMarch 24, 2013 at 10:19 PM

    Oh those azaleas make me want one in my yard again!
    Right next to the steps...where it should be!
    I must do my research and find out how to amend the soil ...so I can make this happen!
    Thank you for stopping in at Corn!
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsMarch 25, 2013 at 4:59 PM

      Hi Pat. Thanks for visiting me at Still Woods. I hope that you find you will be able to grow azaleas. Around here they seem to spring up everywhere, although I know some unseen hand from many years ago had to have planted them. Have a great week!

      Delete
    2. UnknownApril 30, 2013 at 3:38 PM

      Very pretty! I put this picture as my desktop background.

      Delete
  6. Judith @ Lavender CottageMarch 25, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    Thank you for visiting my blog. We can grow azaleas in my area of Ontario but pretty much have to use the 'Northern Lights' variety developed to overwinter with the low temperatures. In Toronto they grow quite well and I've seen some beauties.
    The plantation homes are what dreams are made of, aren't they? Nothing like that here so I always enjoy seeing the stately ones from the south.
    Judith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsMarch 25, 2013 at 5:01 PM

      I have never seen the "Northern Lights" variety. You have peaked my curiosity. Yes, the plantation homes are what dreams are made of. So lovely and impressive.
      Easter blessings from Still Woods

      Delete
  7. Deb AMarch 25, 2013 at 10:06 PM

    Thanks for stopping by and I am loving the azaleas! With over a foot of snow here, I don't know if spring will ever come (Minnesota). I am also following you back. I hope you have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsMarch 26, 2013 at 7:01 PM

      Hi Deb! Thanks for visiting and following back. With all this crazy weather, I bet you are beginning to think spring is never coming. Glad you enjoyed the azaleas.
      Happy Easter!

      Delete
  8. Julie March 28, 2013 at 6:51 PM

    These are so pretty! Thanks so much for sharing these lovely photos at Marvelous Mondays!

    Julie @ This Gal Cooks

    ReplyDelete
  9. Figueira EncantadaApril 1, 2013 at 8:30 PM

    I Love Azaleas....

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousApril 5, 2013 at 11:19 PM

    The azaleas are beautiful this time of the year, due to their blooming flowers. They are also an evergreen plant, keeping their leaves all year round.

    ReplyDelete

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