Washington in the spring is a truly beautiful city. Though the delicate and beautiful cherry blossoms rightly garner more than their fair share of attention in the local and national press, it is the ever-present blooming azaleas that herald spring for many Washington residents. Rare indeed is the house in the city that doesn’t have an azalea planted out in the yard; most have multiple varieties and colors gracing their landscaping...
For those of us without outdoor space of our own, the National Arboretum offers an astonishing Azalea Collection with thousands of varieties for our viewing pleasure. Though the peak bloom for most varieties has passed, the collection includes many late blooming azaleas that are just reaching perfection. Many of the azaleas on display were developed and hybridized right here at the Arboretum by former Director Benjamin Y. Morrison; drop by soon to see them in all their glory.
Located about two miles from the Capitol, the Arboretum grounds are open 8am to 5pm daily (except December 25th). The closest metro station is the Stadium Armory on the blue and orange lines, and the B2 bus (Bladensburg Road-Anacostia Line) runs right by the secondary entrance at 24th and R Streets NE.
- Colleen or Rachael? (please do tell ;-))
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
oops- it was Colleen forgetting again to sign her post!
view CQ in DC's profile
Thanks for the memories. There's an awesome azalea in a more rural setting at Brighton Dam. It's in Montgomery County, about 20 miles from DC if I remember right. Brookville?
22000 plants, 15 varieties, 5 acres!
Try to go on an overcast morning after a rain, the colors look better then in my opinion.
It's a wonderful way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning before the heat and humidity kick in (one of the reasons I moved to the left coast). I really enjoyed that place and could kick myself for never taking a camera there. The views of the lake are really nice too.
Having lived in Kensington (MD), that neighborhood gets my vote for a great looking suburban area in spring.
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My neighborhood is certainly full of azaleas in the spring. I love watching them bloom at all different times, often in the same yard because people around here seem to mix different varieties together. I didn't know that lots of azaleas were created at the Arboretum- maybe I'll wander down this weekend and learn more!
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The National Arboretum now has a bio-diesel tram tour for some ridiculous low price, like 2 or 4 dollars. A recording is played (just audible over the loud engine) that talks about the plant collections and points out some nice specimens I never would have noticed. Get there in early May to see the Azaleas, early April for the cherry blossoms.
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