If you have not been able to fully enjoy the azaleas, do not fret. The Nacogdoches Azalea Trail has been extended through Sunday, April 10. The Azalea Trial is now in full bloom! Stop by the Visitor Center, 200 E. Main, to pick up your copy of the driving trail or download it at www.nacogdochesazaleas.com. The “Evergreen” trail is currently displaying the most significant amount of azaleas in bloom. Signs along the Azalea Trail will remain up until April 10 to assist visitors and the community along the driving routes. The Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden is also at peak bloom: the deciduous (“wild”) azaleas are nearly all in bloom, the camellias are still in bloom, and the Japanese maples have all leafed out with their colorful spring foliage. More Southern Indian azaleas are blooming in big masses (white ‘Mrs. G. G. Gerbing’ and lavender ‘George Lindley Tabor’ are very nice right now); small-flowered pink Kurume azaleas are still in full flower and Girard hybrid ‘Girard Dwarf Lavender’ and ‘Red Formosa’ are adding deep SFA-purple accents.
“The signs will stay up to help everyone who wants to see the azaleas be able to drive the trail without problems. We have 25 miles of driving routes so signs will definitely be of benefit for azalea lovers who do not live in Nacogdoches,” said Melissa Sanford, executive director for the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau.
(Click for larger picture) Inspired by the Nacogdoches Azalea Trail and the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, Pauline Patterson of Nacogdoches created this azalea-themed quilt that is now on display at the Visitor Center, 200 E. Main.
If you get a chance, be sure to stop by the Visitor Center, 200 E. Main, to see a beautiful azalea-themed quilt created by Pauline Patterson. The quilt depicts all of the gorgeous azalea blooms in the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden. Also on display at the Visitor Center is the Flora Garden Club’s “Garden Cart.” One can purchase raffle tickets for $1 (or six for $5). The heavy-duty cart is packed with gardening goodies donated by Flora Garden Club members, Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, Cook’s Nursery, Sutherlands and Dragonfly Nursery. The cart includes a soaker hose, Farmer’s Market garden container, wild bird food and feeder, blue bird house, trowel, rain gauge, garden loppers, garden spade, kneeling cushion, weed preventer, bottle birdhouse, soft touch cultivator, clipper/limb cutter set, Topsy Turvy tomato kit, tripod sprinkler, sunflower seeds, water wand, potting soil, a sprayer, and gift certificates to Dragonfly Nursery and Cook’s Nursery. You can also make plans to purchase tickets at the Farmer’s Market Spring Fling set for Saturday, April 2, 2011. The drawing will be held Saturday, April 16. Winner does not need to be present to win.
For more information on the Nacogdoches Azalea Trail, call (936) 564-7351 or visit www.nacogdochesazaleas.com.
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