Community invited to Plant an Azalea Week kickoff in Wilmington

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County Parks and Gardens is partnering with several local organizations to host Plant an Azalea Week beginning Monday.

The initiative runs through April 11 and is organized in collaboration with the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County and the Cape Fear Garden Club Civic Improvements Committee.

A kickoff event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, at Long Leaf Park, located at 314 Pine Grove Drive. The event will take place near the park’s pond and gazebo. County officials, parks staff and members of the Cape Fear Garden Club are expected to attend, and the public is invited.

Organizers say this year’s event will focus on enhancing the azalea collection at Long Leaf Park.

Plant an Azalea Week is held annually in April to encourage planting throughout the community, with the goal of restoring New Hanover County and Wilmington’s identity as a “city of a million azaleas,” according to the release.

Officials say the Parks Conservancy hosts multiple beautification events throughout the year aimed at improving county parks.