Azalea at the national arboretum

I went on my annual pilgrimage to see the azaleas blooming at the national arboretum today.  It is a cloudy and somewhat chill day, so unlike during previous visits we did not have to contend with the oppressive  rays of the sun. I am in fact convinced that the only times to visit the arboretum are spring and fall. Summer is almost unbearable as there is very little shade in many areas and under the scorching heat everything seems so much more spread out. Today I noticed how close to the entrance the azalea garden was and how the herb garden and the iconic pillars are also not too far away.  We did  not venture much beyond the azalea area though,  stopping only to admire the beautiful orange koi fish in the water garden behind the new visitor center. (behind which is the bonsai garden)

There was a beautiful silver bell tree amidst the azaleas, that like its was in full bloom, like the one at the Enid Haupt garden.