The glory of azaleas in Spring in Daydreaming on the Porch

When I was growing up in suburban New Orleans in the 60s, my mother planted azalea bushes in our back yard garden in the early 60s. They grew to enormous size and flourished where she planted them. Thus, from an early age I was acquainted with, and certainly noticed, as perhaps other children and teenagers my age never did, the magnificent pink and white blooms of azaleas, translucent when backlit by sunlight. In my earliest childhood, ironically, we lived in an apartment neighborhood of identical wood frame duplexes that was called “Azaleas Gardens.” How perfect!

In the decades since, I have relished Spring and the annual arrival of the azaleas. It has been one of the great gifts of living in the South. I love daffodils, irises and camellias, but out of them all, I dearly treasure azaleas the most. Decade after decade I counted myself blessed to have access to abundant azaleas at the gardens and throughout the cities and towns where I lived, especially, in and near Charleston and throughout this city where I have lived for the past 20 years. Time flies by so very quickly now, particularly as I approach the milestone year of 65 this Spring of 2016. My beloved azaleas are sweeter than ever to behold but they also present a poignant spectacle, as I know I have fewer Springs to enjoy in this life. But I truly believe the beauty we treasure here and now will be available for us to enjoy in the next life. To me, there is nothing so indicative of God’s creation than flowers, and azaleas are right up there at the epitome of creation and beauty.

For a couple of weeks now as the blooms peak, I have been photographing azaleas at our parks and gardens in the Charleston area. Here are some of my favorite pictures:

Last updated April 20, 2016