Schools
Native Azalea Talk hosted by Silver Spring Garden Club
The Silver Spring Garden Club's November 2011 meeting:
America’s Treasure: Our Native Azaleas
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.
WHEN: Monday, November 21
Doors open at 7:30pm
Talk starts at 8:00pm
WHERE: Brookside Gardens Visitors Center,
1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, Maryland
Open to the public and free to attend.
Silver Spring Garden Club dues are just $10 a year per household.