‘Plant an Azalea Week’ kicks off festival events

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The first week in April is “Plant an Azalea Week” in the Cape Fear.

Every year the Garden Club chooses an area of Wilmington to beautify with this signature bloom and this year they chose Hugh MacRae Park.

More than 40 azaleas were planted just at the park alone.

The effort to plant azaleas throughout New Hanover County during this week encourages the return of our community to the “city of a million azaleas.”

Another program happening today was the Relator Action Day where more than 400 realtors participated in a number of events around town to give back to the community.

“It’s a great way to kick off the azalea festival,” Janine Powell, Director of Donor Relations for New Hanover County Parks and Garden, said. “Not only are we planting azaleas, but the realtors are also helping to plant 100 longleaf pine saplings to help us maintain our beautiful longleaf pine canopy here in Hugh MacRae Park.”

Powell said they are always trying to improve county parks and this project is just one of the many ways to do so.

The Cape Fear Garden Club is also gearing up for its annual Azalea Garden Tour that begins Friday.