Brighton Dam Azalea Garden
Brighton Dam’s Azalea Garden is home to over 22,000 azalea bushes over 5 acres in a hardwood forest.
Brighton Dam’s Azalea Garden is home to over 22,000 azalea bushes over 5 acres in a hardwood forest.
Are you capturing the vibrant beauty of the azaleas in full bloom, or perhaps painting the serene landscapes of our beloved Brighton Dam and its surrounding watershed? We'd love to showcase your artistic vision!
Learn more.
Address: Brighton Dam Visitor Center, 2 Brighton Dam Rd, Brookeville, MD 20833
Open: 7 days a week, March 15 through November 30, 7:00 AM until sunset.
Pets: No pets allowed
Trail is gravel and natural surfaces. Area may be slippery when wet or closed due to heavy rain.
Visitors who need ADA accommodations or prefer less crowded trails are encouraged to plan a visit for the weekday, between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Those needing accommodations should contact the Visitor Center Guide upon arrival to discuss needs.
Peak bloom generally occurs in early May. For information on the blooming schedule, call the Brighton Dam Visitor Center at 301-206-7485.
Established in 1959, Brighton Dam’s Azalea Garden is home to over 22,000 azalea bushes over 5 acres in a hardwood forest. Kousa dogwood trees were added in the 1990’s and the garden is also home to Montgomery County’s champion fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus).
The idea for the garden was from WSSC Water Commissioner Raymond Bellamy. WSSC Water Watershed Manager Paul Hancock led the work as the garden was planted in the late 1950’s and 1960’s. An updated gazebo was installed by WSSC Water watershed staff in 2012. The Glenn Dale azaleas in the garden were named in honor of Glenn Dale, MD, the location of the US Department of Agriculture’s Plant Introduction Section.
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We have a few deciduous varieties planted near the main entrance to the gardens. These plants are upright and tall, with very large flowers and a very striking range of colors from yellow orange to orange red. They are midseason bloomers.
Check out the Azalea Society of America web page at www.azaleas.org. Another good source for information about azaleas can be found at www.theazaleaworks.com. A broader source of information that includes rhododendrons as well as azaleas can be found at the American Rhododendron Society web site at www.rhododendron.org.