That's a stunning photo, Rita.
One of my local nurseries, Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, specializes in azaleas and rhododendrons -- 8+ acres of them, in fact, and the prices are really low -- $6 or $7 for 1-gallon azaleas, including the very fanciest cultivars. They also sell camellias, clematis, Japanese maples, hellebores, and just about anything else that grows in the shade. I usually try to get there at least a couple of times a month. It's time to go again. If Sue comes with me, you'll see some gorgeous photos of our visit.
Because of that source, I rarely buy azaleas or rhodies at the big box stores, but one day a few years ago I was at Walmart and they were clearing out all of the Encore reblooming azaleas for a quarter apiece. I filled two carts and still didn't pay more than $5 in all.
