Pruning Azaleas

When I first started this Blog the focus was to be on "Gardening Tidbits" or information helpful to fellow gardeners.  In recent times I have focused on Blue and/or Gold Star Marker Dedications.  I have lost sight of the original focus.  While I will continue to publish information about Marker Dedications I will also revert to the original focus.

Today I will pass along information about Pruning Azaleas.  Here is what the Azaleas looked like prior to being Pruned this Year.

As You can see the branches are well above the Window Sill Line.

After the pruning, which must be completed prior to the end of June each year to insure blooms the following Spring this is what the Shrubs looked like.

Much lower with plenty of green leaves on top to insure a Beautiful Bloom Cycle in the Spring of 2026!  Please remember this pruning must be accomplished prior to the end of June to insure a Beautiful Bloom Cycle the following Spring.

 Blue Star By-Way

Marker

Dedication Ceremony

June 14, 2025 - The Dedication was held at the Lullwater Conservation Garden at 805 Lullwater Road Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia.  The Blue Star By-Way Marker Honors with Grateful Hearts Those Who Defend Our Freedom.  The Marker was Sponsored by Lullwater Garden Club, Inc and The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

The Conservation Garden is a quiet place amid the hustle and bustle of the area and was chosen for this Marker as a place where citizens and veterans could pause and reflect!

After the Program pictures you will see the area surrounding this Marker:

Editors Note:  Each Marker Dedication is unique and this one was very different than most.  It was conducted in a peaceful setting and the perfect place for one to pause and reflect on the Blessings that are provided by the Members of our Nation's Military.  

 Doing Something New

In Mid January 2025 I ordered a Frozen Queen Calla Lily from Holland.  It arrived in early April and I planted in a Pot on 21 April using a commercial Potting Soil to give this bulb an excellent chance of growing here in Middle Georgia.  The bulb looked like a medium size potato.  The following is the information that came with the bulb.

"A fantastic calla lily variety with translucent silver-white leaves and gorgeous trumpet flowers.  Frozen Queen is a calla lily for the ages.  Both versatile and eye catching it features elegantly twisted foliage outlined in clear green.  Upright whine-purple blooms are large - 3" tall and 2" wide -and bring color flair to midsummer gardens.  This magnificent perennial that never fails to garner attention from visitors and passersby.  Is versatility benefits plant lovers and gardeners alike.  In zones 8-10 bulbs can be left in the ground year around.  But in zones 3-7, they should be lifted and stored in a cool, dark place for the season.  It can also be grown indoors and kept as a house plant.  Perfect for containers that can be moved outdoors and in, as the weather dictates.  In areas with hot and humid summers, we suggest planting where it can get some afternoon shade.  Indoors, it should be placed near a window, but in direct midday sun"

• Mature Hight:  16 - 18 inches
• Bloom Time:  Early to late summer (June - August)
• Light Requirements:  Full Sun, Half Sun/Half Shade
• Ship As:  1 3/4 - 2"
• Deer Resistant
• Cut Flower
• Container Friendly

This is a picture of the blooms taken on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.

In summary I am glad I expended the $18.00 not including the shipping.  This time taking a chance on something new was well worth the funds expended and the joy of having this Bloom on the Deck in a Container than can be moved about to meet the Sun and Shade requirements in this Humid and Hot Weather.

 Early Evening Garden Stroll

7 June 2025

Blue Star 

and 

Gold Star

Memorial Marker

Dedication Ceremony

at the

Veteran's Memorial Walk

Johns Creek, Georgia

May 27, 2025 

The following pictures were taken prior to the Dedication Ceremony.

Welcome by Barbara Taylor

Bellmere Garden Club

President 2023-2025

Patriotic Music

Dennis Duncan

Bagpiper

Invocation

Rev. Dr. Tommy Green

United Methodist Minister 

Retired

Presentation of Colors

Johns Creek

Veterans Association

Color Guard

Pledge of Allegiance

"The Freedom Pledge"

Sergeant Roger Wise

Johns Creek 

Veterans Association

Ambassador

The National Anthem 

was performed by

All in Attendance

Welcome to

Johns Creek by the

Mayor

John Bradberry

Introduction of Garden Club of

Georgia and

Dogwood District Guest

Barbara Bourque

Former President 

Garden Club of Georgia

Greetings

Diane Hunter

President

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

Recognition of Veterans and

Active Duty

U. S. Armed Services

and

Gold Star Family Members

History of the Blue and Gold

Star Markers

and

Presentation of Certificates to the

Marker Sponsors

and 

Dedication

Jan Thiese

Unveiling of the Markers

by

Diane Hunter

and

Barbara Taylor

The Acceptance of the Markers

Mayor John Bradberry

Benediction

Rev. Dr. Tommy Green

"Amazing Grace" 

Dennis Duncan

Dedication Closing

Barbara Taylor

Bellmere Garden Club Members

and

Program Participants

A Gold Star Family Member

The Workers who

Installed the Markers

Dedication Reception!