Green-Wood Cemetery: Azaleas

I've walked through Green-Wood Cemetery more times than I can count—I think it's safe to say it's my most frequented cemetery by a long shot. I've even been a member of Green-Wood for almost a year, which may seem weird but they put on some very excellent programs and I can't think of any membership that suits me more than one to a cemetery.

I've so far explored Green-Wood in summer, fall and winter but I hadn't fully experienced spring in the cemetery until recently. The cherries and other flowering trees are currently past their peak, but the azaleas are out-of-this-world beautiful. The pinks, purples, reds and oranges are so blindingly bright and colorful, it's hard to even believe that they're real.

I'm pretty hopeless when it comes to identifying plants, so I never would have imagined that there were so many azalea shrubs on the grounds. It's hard to believe that in a short time these thousands of incredible flowers will all be gone, replaced by inconspicuous green leaves. Spring blooms are so fleeting, but they make such a huge impact in such a short time and I'm trying not to take them for granted during their brief appearance.

Being able to see Green-Wood (and other places I love) in all seasons is really such a treat. It's fascinating to me how different the exact same place can look whether it's covered in snow, falling leaves, lush greenery or bright blooms. The crazy saturated colors of the azaleas perfectly contrast with the somber gray and black headstones in the best way. Now that I've officially explored Green-Wood in all seasons it's impossible to pick a favorite one—and luckily I live so close that I don't have to choose.