The Azaleas are Blooming !!!

[Joe21]

We've been living in the same house for 46 years. When we moved ina friend gave me about 12 azaleas, all very small. Those things have bloomed through the years. I kept adding more when I found some I liked. Usually planted them in the shade where grass did not grow or along the property border. Over the years I rooted cuttings and kept swapping with friends. I now have between 600 and 700 in the yard and this week they are at their peek. Some are now fading away and others are still opening. I have some that will not bloom until June. I didn't get them pruned last summer and thought there would be few blooms this year. Even lost a few to the dry weather. But I can't tell any difference. Most are in the back yard where they can not be seen from the street but still have lots of people stop by and ask if they can walk around the yard. That's OK with me. Can't save something like that just for the family.

[icmcumin]

Azaleas are one of the things that make Springtime in the South special, Joe. I bet your yard is one huge burst of color right now.

[TigerPappy]

I thought I had a lot of azaleas but 700? Pics please!! Here's some of mine bloomin today. Joe, Check out Jap Maple in last pic.:)

http://www.theclemsoninsider.com/mb/attachment.php?attachmentid=27&d=1239939128

http://www.theclemsoninsider.com/mb/attachment.php?attachmentid=28&d=1239939196

http://www.theclemsoninsider.com/mb/attachment.php?attachmentid=29&d=1239939301

[Clemson Fan JT]

YOu have to LOVE Spring time......

That is a Great looking Bloodgood Jap there Pappy

[icmcumin]

I brought my very pregnant wife back to the states from Holland around Easter of 1981. Rented this huge Buick wagon for her, the dog, the cat and all her stuff and drove up I-85 from Atlanta to Greenville the afternoon, in the middle of full bloom.

We had had all the right weather conditions for the dogwoods to be just about perfect - they were simply amazing that year.

I was sitting on my Uncle's front porch the next day in Greer and remarked how pretty the dogwoods were. He said "The prettiest spring since 1942."

You can take the "Leaf trips" to New England all you want, but there is nothing in this country like the dogwoods and azaleas throughout the South at this time of the year. (Wildflowers in Texas are a very close second to me - bluebonnets / Indian paintbrushes / primrose season is going on now out here.)

[cubarb1991]

Tigerpappy...such a beautiful yard!!! I love my yard this time of year...kind of like a little gift.

[mezmrin]

i have a jap maple in my backyard although it gets offended when i call it that. japanese-american maple. it doesn't look quite as nice as that though. i'm not very symmetrical with my pruning

[TigerPappy]

YOu have to LOVE Spring time......

That is a Great looking Bloodgood Jap there Pappy

JT! I know why you got out of Landscaping:) That is a Lace leaf not a Bloodgood.:cool:

[Joe21]

Dean --- good looking yard. Mine doesn't come close. My yard boy is lazy, wants to talk all the time, walks in the yard for five minutes and then takes a 55 minute rest and keeps repeating this schedule. He's always making excuses, it's too hot, it's too cold, the wind is blowing, there are bees in the yard, there are no nice chicks sunbathing in the neighborhood. You name it, he's got an excuse. I have about one-half dozen rakes, one push mower, 2 self-propelled mowers, one riding mower, one roto-tiller, one fertilizer spreader and many other hand operated tools. Anyone is welcome to come use them in my yard. :D

[Clemson Fan JT]

JT! I know why you got out of Landscaping:) That is a Lace leaf not a Bloodgood.:cool:

YOu know I was seeing if you would correct me.....LOL

OHH and MEZ.....you are NOT supposed to PRUNE them any....let nature takes it course