Azaleas should be in full bloom for Masters Tournament

Azaleas are expected to be in full bloom and ready for those attending the Masters Tournament next week.

Suzanne Holmes, Richmond County extension program assistant, said the different types of azaleas are starting to blossom now through the city. There are early, mid and late season varieties planted throughout the county.

Holmes said some of the early variety began to bloom several weeks ago, but some are just beginning to open up. The flowers are dependent on the weather.

“Azaleas normally bloom two maybe three weeks. The blooms last about that long depending on the weather,” Holmes said. “If we have a lot of rain or wind, it will knock them off. If it gets real warm, their bloom time is shorter, but if it stays cool and not much rain, they may last for at least two more weeks.”

She said since the azaleas are just beginning to bloom, there will be some around during the Masters from April 8 through April 14.

“You can generally say they start blooming mid-March, end of March and they bloom all through April,” she said. “There are some later varieties that only bloom in April, too. You have the early ones that start in mid-March and the later ones that start in April.”

Holmes said the recent cold temperatures could end up helping, since it slows the budding process.

“The cool days just really help them kind of sit there for a bit longer,” Holmes said. “Because we have two more weeks, you kind of want them to sit there a little bit, so they will be in full bloom for the Masters.”

Holmes said dogwoods are also beginning to blossom, but don’t usually last quite as long as the azaleas. For Holmes, the best thing about the azaleas is the color they bring, especially at certain holes at Augusta National Golf Club.

“There are certain holes at the Masters that have thousands, there are thousands of azaleas planted at the Masters,” Holmes said. “The color is just outstanding and they grow so many of them that they really make a statement.”

She expects this year to be much better than 2017, when the azaleas began to bloom early and were basically non-existent during the tournament.

“It’s just wonderful to see everything bloom now that winter is over and that spring is here,” Holmes said. “It is just wonderful to see colors and spring starting.”

Azalea facts

• Azalea flowers bloom for about two to three weeks
• Most azaleas bloom between March and May
• Flower colors can range from white, pink or purple to multicolored and more
• Native azaleas are deciduous, which means they don’t have leaves
• Augusta National Golf Club has more than 30 varieties of azaleas