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The Robin Hill Azaleas
Correspondence

Letter from Robert D. Gartrell to Mr. Tingle: May 25, 1964

Dear Mr. Tingle—

At last I think I have picked out the better azaleas that bloom early and midseason. I have never been in Pittsville when the late ones were in bloom.

The flowers on the ones I have picked may not be better or different from those you now grow, but they should be hardy over a wide area and I believe the natural form of the bush, without clipping, better than most. As you know, these were started in Northern New Jersey where the temperatures go down to 15°F below. The young plants were in open beds for three or four years just when they are most tender. Down at your place they have stood the hot sun and dry summers. They should be hardy.

Each year when I have been down I have made notes on each individual plant. So the selections I have made were based on what they have done each year and to a considerable extent on the natural shape of the bush. I did not worry too much about the flower color, if the color was bright and pleasing and the shape of the flower good. I think the color of all of them good but probably not too different from the ones you grow.

From your end the plants to be worth while should root easily and grow well so that it does not take too long to have salable plants. Maybe some will not be good from this angle.

I do not know if all the plants should be putout under names. I think I have picked too many to start with—but time will tell. There are too many Glenn Dales—I think Mr. Morrison ran out of names rather than plants and that’s why there are not more of them. I don’t want to do this. It’s quite a job to pick out a few good ones.

I have quite a few good ones here in Wyckoff but I will grow them on here until I think that they are worth while. Think I have some very good whites better than Delaware Valley White, they remain almost fully evergreen. Several are tall and some are low growers. Also one plant much like Springtime but earlier.

I still keep at it and who knows—someday I may get something outstanding.

I enclose the list with the locations and numbers. I put tree tags on them so they will be easy to find. If it is agreeable to you you can start to propagate. They will be under numbers until we are both satisfied with them. They will be called Robin Hill azaleas.

I enjoyed my visit as always and look forward to seeing you next year. I hope you will be over your physical troubles.

Thanks again

/s/ R.D. Gartrell

[Transcribed by D.H. Voss, Vienna, VA, 1 January 2003]

Copyright © Donald H. Voss, 2004

Azalea Society of America