What: America’s Treasure: Our Native Azaleas (Silver Spring Garden Club's November 2011 meeting)
WHEN: Monday, November 21
Doors open at 7:30pm
Talk starts at 8:00pm
WHERE: Brookside Gardens Visitors Center,
1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, Maryland
The rich flora of North America boasts 17 species of native
azaleas. Don Hyatt, a noted authority on these plants, will first
introduce the various species showing the range of flower color and form
he has observed in the wild. Don will then shift to a series of visual
tours to the scenic places where these native azaleas often grow. Join
him in the Southern Appalachians when rare native azaleas and
wildflowers herald the arrival of spring. Experience breath-taking
vistas along the Appalachian Trail near Roan Mountain in high season
when the flame azaleas and rhododendrons turn entire mountaintops ablaze
with color. Climb to the top of Gregory Bald in the Great Smoky
Mountain National Park to see one of the most impressive floral displays
of them all. Share his appreciation of gorgeous scenery, native
azaleas, and wildflower companions as Don “chases the bloom” from coast
to coast throughout the season. As is Don’s typical presentation
style, expect an entertaining and fast-paced program filled with many
beautiful photographs, lots of information, occasional touches of humor,
and a few digital tricks in this multi-media presentation.
Don Hyatt holds a Bachelors degree in Horticulture with a double
major in Biochemistry, and a Masters degree in Computer Science.
lthough professionally a mathematics and computer science teacher for 33
years, Don has maintained a life-long interest in plants of all kinds.
He started gardening as a toddler, and continues to maintain his garden,
now in its 60th year, at the family home where he grew up. After
retiring from teaching in 2002, Don has devoted most of his time to
horticultural interests, especially the study of native azaleas,
rhododendrons, and wildflowers in their natural habitats. He has served
on the national boards of both the Azalea Society of America and the
American Rhododendron Society, and has received numerous awards. Don is
an accomplished botanical illustrator and photographer, and has authored
many articles on azaleas and rhododendrons. He has become a popular
speaker at national and international conferences on a variety of
horticultural topics.
Open to the public and free to attend.
Silver Spring Garden Club dues are just $10 a year per household.
Information provide by Kathy Jentz
Editor/Publisher
Washington Gardener Magazine
www.WashingtonGardener.com
