Ben Morrison - A Glenn Dale hybrid (evergreen)	Frilly Lemon - An Exbury hybrid (deciduous)

    Of all sporting events, I think I like “March Madness” the best.  Even the little guys get a shot at glory.  Lesser-known schools such as Gonzaga and Murray State have the same opportunity as large schools such as UCLA and Duke.  Having deep roots in Virginia, I never thought I would find myself rooting for Maryland, but they were deserving and due.

     “April Madness” brings forth the season of the azalea. Over 10,000 varieties of azaleas begin their tournament of blossom, which lasts through the summer.  This year Roxbury proudly shows about 80 varieties of azaleas.  When purchasing plants of any sort, good record keeping serves the gardener well.  Common varieties sold at garden shops and grocery stores would include “Delaware Valley” (a white Glenn Dale) and “Coral Bell” (a pink Kurume).  These are often used and can usually be matched by a verbal description for the purposes of replacement should one lose a plant in a mass grouping.  If the wrong variety is chosen for replacement, a glaring error will be exhibited in the established planting.  This example illustrates the need for good record keeping.

     When the shopper ventures into a small collection such as ours, the margin of error for future replacement increases dramatically.  We may carry a variety only one time.  Additionally, one may become attached to a particular variety of an obscure azalea purchased earlier and wish to purchase more.  I rest my case for good record keeping in the garden.

    In the early 1980’s Roxbury began to move more towards nursery stock as a supplement to a dwindling livestock feed business.  We still sell livestock feed, but it was 65% of our sales in the mid 1970’s.  We were fortunate to a retiree named Vincent Willetts working for us in the early 1980‘s.  Vincent had worked as head grounds man for Mary Washington College for over 30 years.  Many of the plantings of the college today are the work of Vincent.  He would leave early on Tuesday to clean house because the maid was coming on Wednesday...didn’t want her to see a mess!  Vincent took me under his wing and began to teach me horticulture, telling me that I would be fine if I ever grew up.  As his time on Earth began to dwindle, Vincent left me with some of references, which include Frederick Lee’s Azalea Book, a standard of the time, which features over 2700 varieties of azaleas.  Vincent, as you watch down from the Heavens, I hope you are pleased with my progress.  Sorry, but I will never grow up.

     I studied Lee’s Azalea Book intensely for a time, learning of Kurumes, Glenn Dales, Gables, Satsukis, Knap Hills, etc.  I have left this study of azalea genealogy alone for many years now as other things have occupied my time.

    The discovery of a nursery in the Blue Ridge Mountains which specializes in azaleas is leading me back into the need to study the azaleas once more when time allows.  A charming couple bought a farm in the mountains and started a fabulous nursery, leaving behind the “rat race” of the Washington area.  Their nursery is Long Mountain Nursery (www.longmountainnursery.com).  Visit their site for their story and great photos of azaleas.  If you live locally, visit their nursery.  The drive itself is worthwhile.

    Having fallen asleep at 8:00 last night, I am writing this column at 4:00AM since I will have no time to write at work today.  We are fortunate to be having a great spring and it is all we can do to keep up with things.  The thrill of it all...Ellen says I’m nuts.