Ericaceae in Regalia

Crocus is long gone. Daffodils too. The tulips are played out and the dogwoods are even starting to look a bit bedraggled. Just when you think the party's over, out come the big guns. Like the final moments of Spring's fireworks display, the azaleas explode with a fury that leaves us breathlessly murmuring ooos, oohs and aahs. They hit you in the solar plexus. The drop kick you in the yarbles. In short, the just know you out.

Azaleas can make even the dullest house come to life.

Then, once they are done with their showstopping, it's time to do some pruning. And this is just about the time a homeowner needs to start the backbreaking chores associated with being a member of the landed gentry. It's a helluva lot of work for the fleeting glory of flowering shrubbery, but for some reason we do it.