BY Jeff Minnich • PHOTOGRAPHY BY Allison Potter
Romancing the Azalea
Just when we think we can’t take winter for another day along comes April and the annual North Carolina Azalea Festival.
In the early years, the festival and garden tours took place in late March and early April. But nature didn’t always cooperate,
so in 1961, after a few years of cancelations due to freezes and bitter weather, the garden tour was scheduled to begin later in
April. Thereafter, the blooms were certainly more cooperative and tour chairs more relaxed. This year
marks a major milestone in the festival: the Cape Fear Garden Club’s Azalea Garden Tour celebrates
its 60th year. It’s a treat and a privilege to go behind the scenes into Wilmington’s private and most
glorious enclaves. Here are two of the gardens featured on this year’s garden tour.
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