{"id":29179,"date":"2021-04-17T22:41:43","date_gmt":"2021-04-18T02:41:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yurasko.net\/wfy\/?p=29179"},"modified":"2021-04-17T22:41:43","modified_gmt":"2021-04-18T02:41:43","slug":"the-peoples-azaleas-season-at-the-national-arboretum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yurasko.net\/wfy\/2021\/04\/the-peoples-azaleas-season-at-the-national-arboretum\/","title":{"rendered":"The “people’s azaleas” season at the National Arboretum"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014<\/strong> Visiting the National Arboretum during azaleas season is one of my rites of spring. Good news! They are peaking now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The people’s azaleas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every April certain commentators go on and on about the azaleas at the Masters. Don’t settle for TV — head over to Northeast and see what my friend @ouij calls “the people’s azaleas.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The arboretum’s azaleas<\/a><\/strong> reside on Mount Hamilton<\/strong>. That’s the big hill to the northeast of the Capitol. Groves of azaleas line hiking paths from the top to the bottom. Dogwoods, mayflowers and other plants stand out as well. The Morrison Garden is the hub of the collection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mount Hamilton<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walking to Mt. Hamilton’s summit doesn’t take long – maybe 20 minutes or less without stopping. If you don’t stop though, you won’t fully appreciate the beautiful bushes and setting. National Mall, Washington Monument, Capitol and RFK Stadium are all in sight. The viewshed could be improved by topping or removing some trees, but that might be at cross-purposes<\/em> with the arboretum’s mission. The view was better in 2013<\/strong><\/a> when I lasted blogged about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, my family of four spent about an hour taking in all the azaleas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why so many azaleas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Benjamin Y. Morrison<\/strong>, the arboretum’s first director, was obsessed with azaleas. Between 1940 and 1952, he created 445 or 454 cultivars, depending one which plaque you read. I got curious looked for more about him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n