Klimavicz Azaleas
Azalea ‘Antoinette Martin’, Photo by Joe Klimavicz
Legacy Lead: Carolyn Beck ⇐ Click to send Carolyn an email
Hybridizer: Joe Klimavicz
Joe is an avid hybridizer of evergreen azaleas-a passion of his since the late 1980s when he
lived in Springfield VA near more established azalea hybridizers--Bob Stewart and Pete Vines.
With a few azaleas from Bob and Pete, Joe moved to his current Vienna,
Virginia one-third acre lot, and his hybridizing really took off.
Joe's garden is an example of highly intensive azalea cultivation. Each
year, Joe makes around 10 crosses and brings out of his basement close
to 1000 new azalea hybrids each year, but discards almost all of them
after they first flower, retaining only the best. The Klimavicz
hybridization program is aimed at developing a plant that is vigorous, and disease and insect resistant, with a flower that is unusual and long-lasting. He has registered 20 azaleas to date.
Joe lives in Vienna with his wife, Brenda and their three
daughters, and he has always welcomed garden tours and visitors;
especially in the spring. Incidentally, Joe's daughters began their own
hybridizing in elementary school, and the oldest daughter published an
original research paper, "Polyploidization of Evergreen Azaleas" (see in Attachments, below) in the Azalean at age 16.
Joe Klimavicz (L) & Buddy Lee (R) Photo by Brenda Klimavicz |
Project Presentation: (None available at this time)
Project Attachments:
| Title | Author |
|---|---|
| Polyploidization of Evergreen Azaleas | Caitlin Klimavicz |
| The Klimavicz Hybridizing Project -- Magic in the Making | Carolyn Beck |
A sampling of Klimavicz cultivars
Click the thumbnail to view full screen size and scroll through images.
Antoinette Martin © Joe Klimavicz |
Barbara Tozzi © Joe Klimavicz |
Beautiful Beth © Joe Klimavicz |
Bob Stewart © Joe Klimavicz |
Caitlin Marie © Carolyn Beck |
Everlasting Ella © Joe Klimavicz |
James Scott © Joe Klimavicz |
Mary Jane Cummings © Joe Klimavicz |