I don’t usually use this word for horticulturists at Winterthur. I think it can bring to mind a misinterpretation of what we do here in the garden. But in Susan’s case the basic definition of the word fits to everything she does in Azalea Woods. Care Taker.

With eight (count ‘em folks 8) acres of azaleas, rhododendrons, small trees, big trees, big shrubs, small shrubs, ground covers, perennials, and turf in one of the most visited areas in the garden, the care she renders to all the plants in Azalea Woods throughout the year culminates in the beautifully massive display seen in the spring and early summer.

Did you guys realize that Susan spends hours in the autumn and early winter removing fallen leaves, often by hand, from every azalea there? Yeah, really. And there’s like a bazillion azaleas in there. Some of those puppies are nine feet tall and twice as wide. And the pruning…what?  

That’s not all. Mulch mowing, path maintenance, spraying, fertilizing, weeding (oh, the weeding there is!), mulching. Whew…makes me exhausted just thinking about it. No problem for this graduate of the Longwood Certificate Program.

With 10 years experience in the industry, a life-long love of horticulture, and five years caring for Azalea Woods, Susan charges in with energy, determination, and a smile on her face ready to take care of any possible challenges a day in Azalea Woods may present. Just to set the record straight…she would gladly welcome a volunteer or two.

(To lend a hand and work with the charming care taker, contact Winterthur’s volunteer coordinator, Margaret Jenkins at 302.888.4784 or mjenki@winterthur.org today! – kls)

On the ground level, enjoy the delicate blue of Spanish blue-bells that complements the pinks and corals of Azalea Woods. As the native dogwoods finish their bright show, viburnums catch the “ball” and continue the horizontal shimmer of white.

Near the Reflecting Pool, Coral Bell azaleas combine perfectly with purple-leaf filbert while “Firefly” azaleas blaze in Enchanted Woods. Along the March Bank, hostas and ferns unfold as ground covers. Lilacs complete the symphony of color in the Sundial garden filling the air with their sweet fragrance. Breathe deeply and enjoy the clean fresh spring air as you walk the Winterthur Garden.

Be sure to walk along the March Bank where you’ll see ostrich ferns just unfurling interplanted with Virginia Bluebells – stunning! Many, many plants are in full bloom. Our wonderful volunteers who track bloom each week are up to 10 pages of  flowers and still writing! Be sure to show your membership card or display a paid admission tag as you enjoy this beautiful treasure. 

(Insider tip: ask at the ticket counter at the visitor center about the double admission deal with Longwood Garden – good only until the end of April! This is the weekend to see Azalea Woods.)

On the way home from work yesterday—during one of our brief respites from rain—I must have seen or heard a half dozen mowers buzzing (mine being one) as folks frantically tried to play catch up with their ever-growing lawns. Late April rain followed by several 90 degree days followed by even more rain has made grass grow and flowers and foliage “pop” overnight.

One section of the Winterthur Garden that is in its full glory as a result is Azalea Woods. Walking through the maze of paths in this 8 acre woodland, one is saturated in color form head to foot. Wildflowers such as Trillium, Jacob’s ladder, and Spanish Bluebell provide swathes of color at the feet of masses of kurume azaleas in shades of pink, white, red and lavender. White flowers of dogwood, red bud and Carolina silverbell provide color overhead yet well below the cathedral-like canopy of the towering tulip poplar, beech and oak that makes up the woodland. But don’t stop there—Winterthur boasts azaleas in flower throughout the estate so take advantage of the weekend forecast (crossed fingers) and come and see what beauty the rains have bestowed upon us.

 The pathways in Azalea Woods are getting a face lift this winter; the current red gravel walks are being removed and replaced with mulch. This is a much anticipated project that will give a more desirable woodland appearance to this garden area. This new look is actually more historically accurate (see above photo) but with a modern twist. The paths are engineered in a way that will help provide both stability and drainage. The current material is removed to a depth of 10 inches then layered with landscape fabric, stone, landscape fabric and finally topped with mulch. The fabric keeps the stone and mulch from migrating thus facilitating drainage (see images below).

We are all looking forward to a springtime stroll though the maze of pathways in Azalea Woods; one that mimics the soft and quiet feel of a woodland stroll with pine duff underfoot.