American Azaleas
Although few plants evoke the lazy gentility of southern gardens or the lush tranquility of woodland glens the way azaleas do, for most gardeners they remain an unattainable goal, a shrub desired but seldom incorporated in landscape design. Miscast as being temperamental or confined to precise pockets of geography, azaleas are, in reality, remarkably suited for most garden settings in all but a few parts of the country. Towe, an azalea breeder and dedicated azalea aficionado, speaks from a quarter-century of observational and practical experience. Writing with a folksy good humor about the charm of collecting azaleas, Towe can be professorially fastidious when relaying information about nomenclature and hybridization. Along the way, he covers all the basics of azalea culture, from planting and pruning to selecting and siting. Helpful information outlining appropriate companion plants aids in developing a pleasing landscape design, while precise propagation details and appendixes listing azalea organizations and nurseries offer valuable information.Carol HaggasCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved