Azalea society holding convention in Nacogdoches

NACOGDOCHES - The Azalea Society of America's 2007 National Convention will be held March 29 through April 1 in Nacogdoches - the oldest town in Texas and home to the largest azalea garden in the Lone Star State. "Azaleas in the Pines - A Texas Garden party" is hosted by the Mast Arboretum at Stephen F. Austin State University and the Louisiana Chapter of the Azalea Society of America and will be held in conjunction with the annual Nacogdoches Azalea Trail.

Convention attendees will tour gardens and nurseries in Nacogdoches, Tyler and other East Texas locations and hear evening lectures on azalea care and garden design. Plant sales, auctions and raffles are also planned, along with a banquet and other special meals.

"East Texas has been growing azaleas for a long time, but there has been a real renaissance of interest in the last few years," says Barbara Stump, convention co-chair. "This spring we will introduce the Azalea Society of America to new azalea gardens that are also learning laboratories for the horticulturists of tomorrow. These gardens showcase a diverse palette of azaleas both old and new."

Among the highlights of the convention will be a tour of the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden on the SFA campus in Nacogdoches. As the largest azalea garden in Texas, the Mize garden boasts more than 7,000 evergreen and native azaleas nestled in a loblolly pine forest alongside historic Lanana Creek.

A day trip to nearby Tyler will include a tour of the azaleas and Japanese maples at the renowned Tyler Rose Garden, as well as visits to the Azalea Garden at Tyler Junior College and other public and private gardens.

Convention speakers include: Dr. David Creech, director of the SFA Mast Arboretum and Regents Professor of Horticulture at SFA; Greg Grant, author and horticulturist with the SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center; Robert "Buddy" Lee, president of the Azalea Society of America; Len Miller, founder and designer of Lendonwood Botanical Garden in Grove, Okla.; and Tom Spencer, Texas-based television producer and host, freelance writer, photographer, radio personality and garden designer.

"Our speakers are all leaders in horticulture: Dr. Creech has developed a 38-acre arboretum in the past 20 years; Greg Grant is a well-known Texas gardening lecturer, author and new plant breeder; Len Miller is president of the 5,000-plus member American Rhododendron Society; and Buddy Lee bred the highly successful repeat blooming Encore(TM) azalea series," Stump said. "Attendees will have a rare opportunity to talk with all of these experts in a comfortable, home-town setting."

Nacogdoches was first to earn the distinction of "Azalea City of America" by the Azalea Society of America. It is located about 150 miles northeast of Houston via U.S. 59. The convention fee is $45 if registered by Feb. 22. Late registration is $75. Additional fees will be required for meals and bus tours.

Registration forms and other convention information can be found online at www.nacogdochesazaleas.com or by calling the Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-888-OLDEST TOWN or 936-564-7351. Registration is limited, so those interested are strongly encouraged to register early.

A special room rate of $79 is available at the historic Fredonia Hotel for conference attendees. For room reservations, call 1-800-594-5323 or 936-564-1234.

The eighth annual Nacogdoches Azalea Trail will be taking place March 17 through 31. The trail features more than 20 miles of selfguided driving routes through the city, showcasing the flowering shrubs at their peak of color. A floral-design exhibit and plant sale are also planned.

For more information about the Nacogdoches Azalea Trail or the Azalea Society of America National Convention, call 1-888- OLDEST-TOWN or 936-564- 7351.