Azaleas have painted the backdrops of graduations, family reunions, engagements, architecture and stirred the imaginations of children exploring the mazes and trails this shrub often creates over the years. While a member of the Rhododendron family, they are both deciduous and non-deciduous, meaning they often retain their leaves in Tulsa. The Tulsa Area Azalea Society pays homage to the palette of colors initially brought to Woodward Park by the Tulsa Garden Club in 1964, inspiring a love of azaleas throughout northeast Oklahoma.
The history of our local azaleas gives our Society a strong foundation as a prime horticultural resource to explore questions, exchange knowledge, and understand the principles, love, and beauty of everything azalea. Oklahoma weather and soil conditions create an incredible research environment from local gardeners to landscape architects to national research institutions.
Announced in 2020 and coming to fruition in these next several years, Tulsa Parks will bring azaleas back to their prominence at this 100-year-old Woodward Park. Our Society will play an active role in the planning, planting, progress, and celebration of this investment for generations to come.
We only grow by what we nurture and share with others. Please join with us as we acknowledge this beautiful backdrop in our life journeys.
The Tulsa Area Azalea Society (TAAS) is a program of the Tulsa Garden Center located at 2435 S. Peoria Ave. The Tulsa Garden Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve as horticulture headquarters with diverse educational opportunities for our community, and to provide exceptional and unique guest experiences in Woodward Park. TAAS meets every third Tuesday from March to November at the Tulsa Garden Center from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Please visit our Facebook for updates. Annual memberships start at $30. Please contact Paul Stratton, President, at 918-633-2428 or at sjp1553@gmail.com.