2.
King Azalea
Flowering Azalea Bush (Rhododendron ovatum)
This grouping of azalea bushes started as one huge and unruly azalea, dubbed “King Azalea” by the current caretakers. Planted in the 1960s by Mamie Winstead, this prolific bloomer explodes twice a year into showy white blossoms with pink spotting.
Over the decades, King Azalea became so heavy that its drooping branches took root where they rested, resulting in a tangle of growth. Invasive vines and climbers defied regular trimming. King Azalea got a major haircut and separation in 2024 thanks to the efforts of Tim Dake and the Knoxville Civil War Round Table.