The Bush Azalea Trail is populated with more than 3,000 deciduous and evergreen azaleas that are native to the southeastern U.S. as well as some native to Asia. Southeastern native species include Rhododendron alabamense, R. austrinum, R. canescens, and R. flammeum, and many hybrids.
In addition to azaleas, visitors will find extensive plantings of hydrangeas, hollies, and camellias under a canopy of red maple, sweetgum, white ash, sycamore, and blackgum. The trail also features numerous species of Trilliums and Hexastylis (ginger).
HISTORY OF THE TRAIL
The Bush Azalea Trail is named in honor of Vernon Bush, a volunteer at the Garden since 1997 and creator of the trail, which he began in 2009. In 2011, the Garden established the Vernon Bush Distinguished Service Award to recognize individual volunteers who show exceptional dedication to improving Huntsville Botanical Garden.
