Wilmington and Hanover County Launch Plant an Azalea Week

New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington are conducting Plant an Azalea Week as part of a coordinated effort to restore the region’s reputation as a city of a million azaleas.

The 2026 initiative runs through April 11, 2026, and is organized through a partnership between New Hanover County Parks and Gardens, the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County, and the Cape Fear Garden Club Civic Improvements Committee.

2026 Kickoff and Location

A kickoff event for the initiative took place at 10 a.m. On Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The event was held at Long Leaf Park, located at 314 Pine Grove Drive, where planting activities were concentrated near the park’s gazebo and pond.

The event was attended by members of the Cape Fear Garden Club, parks staff, and county officials. The public was invited to participate in the planting efforts, which were specifically designed to enhance and replenish the existing azalea collection at Long Leaf Park.

Conservation and Stewardship

Organizers stated that the annual event is held every April to encourage residents to plant azaleas throughout the community. This effort supports the broader goal of maintaining the botanical identity of Wilmington and New Hanover County.

Wilmington and New Hanover County are known for having lots of azaleas, and so we’re just trying to be good stewards of that. We keep replenishing the stock because they don’t last forever, unfortunately, but they do have long lives.

Janine Powell, Director of Donor Relations, NHC Parks and Gardens

In addition to the annual Plant an Azalea Week, the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County manages several other beautification events throughout the year aimed at the improvement of county parks.

Historical and Related Events

The location of the kickoff event varies annually to support different community collections. In 2025, the Plant an Azalea Week kickoff occurred on April 1, 2025, at the Spring Garden within Airlie Gardens, located at 300 Airlie Road.

The current planting initiative coincides with the return of the North Carolina Azalea Festival to Wilmington during the week of April 8, 2026.