Vibrant Azaleas Didn't Make the Cut This Year at the Masters

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Vibrant Azaleas Didn't Make the Cut This Year at the Masters
By Pete Iacobelli, AP Sports Writer/ ABC News/ abcnews.go.com

"A short stroll down Augusta National's back nine is all it takes to see that something is missing at this Masters.

A look past the fairways and greens, and it quickly becomes apparent: The abundance of eye-catching, colorful plants have been replaced by dullish, green, spent azaleas. Augusta National's signature blooms are the victims of Mother Nature.

"They're not there," said Aileen Brennan, who comes to the Masters each year with husband from Ireland. "It's disappointing."...."

FILE - In this Wednesday, April 5, 2017 file photo, Bernhard Langer of Germany hits on the 13th hole during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga. Augusta National’s colorful, blooming azaleas are mostly missing this Masters, victims of a warmer than usual winter and sudden March cold snap. The bursts of pink and white are as much a part of the tournament as Magnolia Lane and the champion’s green jacket. This time, though, the flowering plants and shrubs could not survive the confluence of strange weather, leaving TV viewers, competitors and patrons longing for the vibrant display. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)


I miss the Azaleas.


Richard

 

[RNCollins]

We were wondering what happen to the azalea blooms... Thanks for the update.

 

[artringwald]

It's the only time each year that we watch golf, and we only watch it for the azaleas. My parents lived in Delaware, and he's what their backyard looked like in the spring:

 

[Glynda]

Hmmm...wondered why we didn't see any. I was told that they had methods for preserving them through a freeze. Also that they would replace some non-bloomers with blooming plants for this event. I guess everyone is cutting back on expenses!

 

[jme]

Hmmm...wondered why we didn't see any. I was told that they had methods for preserving them through a freeze. Also that they would replace some non-bloomers with blooming plants for this event. I guess everyone is cutting back on expenses!

Probably rumors, Glynda (and hello!)....... if they wanted blooms, I promise you, they'd have them....
that is, if you know the Augusta National. Lots of "other" amazing stories this year, but not about blooms.

Augusta, as well as the rest of the South, experienced an early Spring, with temps off-and-on into the 60s and 70s weeks before the annual Masters tournament, so the dogwoods and azaleas bloomed earlier than usual. It was indeed beautiful, but too early for the outside world to see. Contrary to popular myth, they don't ice down the azaleas, or otherwise make efforts to influence the timing of the blooms, but they do have various species of azaleas that bloom at different times, whether on purpose or not. As Chairman Billy Payne jokingly said during the opening days, the "color of the year for 2017" would be GREEN. Residents of Augusta, of which I am one, always start looking at the azaleas and dogwoods as March progresses, hoping everything will be perfect for "our special week", but this year was about as different as I can remember. Good if you generally like a mild Winter and early Spring, but bad if you like everything peaking at Masters time. Since we rent our house and leave town, we have no personal preference, but it's wonderful to hear the rave reviews after a typical GREAT year.

 

[Glynda]

Probably rumors, Glynda (and hello!)....... if they wanted blooms, I promise you, they'd have them....
that is, if you know the Augusta National. Lots of "other" amazing stories this year, but not about blooms.

Augusta, as well as the rest of the South, experienced an early Spring, with temps off-and-on into the 60s and 70s weeks before the annual Masters tournament, so the dogwoods and azaleas bloomed earlier than usual. It was indeed beautiful, but too early for the outside world to see. Contrary to popular myth, they don't ice down the azaleas, or otherwise make efforts to influence the timing of the blooms, but they do have various species of azaleas that bloom at different times, whether on purpose or not. As Chairman Billy Payne jokingly said during the opening days, the "color of the year for 2017" would be GREEN. Residents of Augusta, of which I am one, always start looking at the azaleas and dogwoods as March progresses, hoping everything will be perfect for "our special week", but this year was about as different as I can remember. Good if you generally like a mild Winter and early Spring, but bad if you like everything peaking at Masters time. Since we rent our house and leave town, we have no personal preference, but it's wonderful to hear the rave reviews after a typical GREAT year.

We experienced the same kind of "winter" in Charleston. Warm with a late two night freeze after early blooms were underway. The Azaleas for Summerville's Azalea Festival and the Historic Foundation of Charleston's annual tour of homes and gardens were gone. The wisteria held up better. The Confederate Jasmine is about to bloom on our street and I love the fragrance it brings all over town.

I've been to the Master's twice and got to see the blooms both times. Really did think they had a method for preserving some of the plants to bloom, at least on 13. Augusta National has their own "fake news." Don't blame you for renting and leaving. We were just talking today that this is the time of year we ought to get out of town! So many people here right now!