WASHINGTON, D.C. — I try to get over to the National Arboretum in Northeast for the azaleas annually. Last year, I was a little late, but on Saturday, I seemed to get there at peak. I took several photos:

[flickr : A trip to the National Arboretum for azaleas /slideshow]

The white azaleas had already started to decline, but the pink, magenta and violent azaleas were right at peak. The red ones were just starting to pop. They are planted in the southwestern part of Arboretum on a hill called Mount Hamilton.

The other night a friend and I were discussing that the Arboretum is a “hidden” treasure in the area. It certainly is off the beaten path, but it is an oasis where you can picnic, run, hike, bike not too far from all the happenings of the area. Perhaps it isn’t as hidden as we think because parking was a bit scarce in many areas. This is a good problem to have.

Lastly, since we’re talking about azaleas let’s listen to Louis Armstrong & D.C.’s own, Duke Ellington perform “Azalea”