Native Azalea Recognized as a 'Plant of CARE' by The Wright Scoop
Pink azalea or pinxterbloom azalea, is a 6–15 ft. shrub, (usually closer to 6 ft.) with picturesque, horizontal branching above. Funnel-shaped, pink or white flowers with protruding stamens which occur in large clusters, appearing before or with the leaves. Smooth, medium-green, deciduous foliage turns dull yellow in fall. A deciduous shrub, with terminal clusters of pink, tubular, vase-shaped, slightly fragrant flowers.
This much-branched shrub is especially showy in flower. It is relatively tolerant of dry sites and can be transplanted into wild shrub gardens. The species name, Latin for 'naked-flowered,' refers to the fact that the flowers often appear before its leaves are fully expanded. Mountain azalea ( R. canescens ) and woolly azalea ( R. prinophyllum ) are also found within the range of this species.
Landscape Gardens of CARE
'Eco-sustainable spaces,' says Wright, 'are not simply a result of lifestyle choices but reflect how we feel about the environment. While keeping it simple (as in simple living) is the name of the game, there is a more important underlying factor—a commitment to ultimate greening: providing for the present without sacrificing the future. Native azaleas are an excellent plant which through its ability to flourish has naturalized in almost any nationwide landscape and through its vibrant color and sustainability is recognized to inspire people to become people who CARE—have a perspective of conservation, advocacy, recovery and eco-efficiency.'
Plants of Care, Plant Recognition Program
Whether an experienced landscape professional or novice homeowner, Wright's advocacy challenges all to not simple identify plants that survive but thrive; and then, create landscapes from a sustainable point of view, seeking to reduce their carbon footprint as well as feed their families pesticide free produce. 'For,' says Wright, 'any style landscape should not simply reflect traditional design concepts but be a result of the right plant, installed in the right place at the right (optimal) planting season—creating a legacy of green, healthier urban/suburban communities. The challenge is to create landscapes from a 'waste not, and want not' eco logical commitment: become caretakers for the environmental community.'
As a hands-on landscape gardener who participates in nation-wide regional plant testing, Wright gained familiarity with programs such as the 'Southern Living Plant Collection,' 'Proven Winners,' 'Plants that Work,' and many more. Still, while plant material proven to enable landscape gardens of CARE could be recommended by any one of these programs, it is spotlighted by Wright for its ability to inspire people to CARE—have a perspective of conservation, advocacy, recovery and eco-efficiency.
To ongoing encourage all to 'dig in the dirt,' a 'plant of care' will be recognized quarterly.
About The Wright Scoop – Sylvia Hoehns Wright
A graduate of the Virginia Natural Resource Leadership Institute program and a recipient of the 'Turning America from Eco-weak to Eco-chic' award, The Wright Scoop – Sylvia Hoehns Wright urges all to keep America beautiful and become people who CARE—have a perspective of conservation, accountability, recovery and eco-efficiency. To inspire others, she offers one-on-one consulting, speeches and workshops and has published a series of eco books.For more information, visit www.thewrightscoop.com, email [email protected], or follow her activities on social media through Facebook group The Wright Scoop or @WrightScoop on Twitter/X.
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Sylvia Hoehns Wright
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SOURCE: The Wright Scoop – Sylvia Hoehns Wright
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