Inventor of the Encore Azalea to speak Sept. 26 at East Coast Garden Center

Nationally known plant breeder Robert “Buddy” Lee, the inventor of the Encore Azalea, will reveal the easy steps for beautiful azaleas during a lecture starting at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, at East Coast Garden Center in the Enrichment Center.

Lee has more than three decades of experience in nursery management, breeding, propagation and new plant development. The Encore Azalea is the world’s best-selling reblooming azalea.

Admission to the lecture is free. Lee will talk about the species and hybrids most widely used today, including the Encore Azalea, and share proper planting and care tips to help gardeners achieve beautiful azaleas for years of enjoyment.

Lee is director of plant innovations for Plant Development Services in Loxley, Ala., which introduced the Encore Azalea, the Southern Living Plant Collection and the Sunset Western Garden Collection.

He has been active in numerous horticultural groups and presently serves as a board member of the International Plant Propagators Society Southern Region and the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association. He is past president of The Azalea Society of America.

East Coast Garden Center is at 30366 Cordrey Road, Millsboro, DE. For more information, go to eastcoastgardencenter.com.