On the bright side: a Montgomery County couple overcomes a shady, sloping garden site with a kaleidoscope of azaleas and wildflowers.

They can grow everything. Except grass!

That was the initial problem that inspired one of the most beautiful gardens in Montgomery County.

Norton and Gall Rodgers were facing a major erosion problem on the steep hill behind their house. They could not get grass to grow under the huge pine trees, so they decided to do a little terracing to help prevent the downhill slide.

"We started out small, but we have really created a monster," said Norton. "The yard has become a full-time job, but it gets in your blood. We love it ... most of the time."

The "monster" is actually a gorgeous yard filled with more than 600 azaleas in every color imaginable. Norton said the garden started as a simple small flowerbed about 20 years ago. Seeking a larger space for their children to play, he and Gail decided to clear an overgrown area behind the house. To combat the erosion caused by the slope, they added terraces and walking paths, another flowerbed, and more azaleas. By now, the Rodgerses have all but solved their erosion problem one bloom at a time.

"It has really kept us together as a family," said Gall. "It was good for the kids growing up, and it helped create a good work ethic in them. Our son, Stan, always said he would live in a house surrounded by concrete after growing up in the garden, but he now has a beautiful yard. It becomes something you love."

The front and side yards are also full of azaleas, but it is in the back yard that the real show begins. The first path, surrounded by azaleas that are in full bloom this time of year, runs parallel to a waterfall that flows into a small pond. A nearby bench allows visitors to enjoy the sights and sounds of the waterfall and an adjacent lushly planted patio area. More paths lead up and around several terraces highlighted with plantings designed for "showiness."

A winding walkway leads to a gazebo where the Rodgerses spend much of their time. The gazebo is fully outfitted for relaxation and entertainment, with a swing, seating area, ceiling fan, grill, and sink.

Part of the joy of relaxing in the gazebo is the amazing view of a lower patio area complete with a pond and another swing. From the gazebo, visitors can also walk along a stilted path for a "tree-top" look at the slanted garden.

Another key element of the Rodgerses' garden is water. The couple loves the relaxing sound of water, and there are fountains scattered throughout the landscape so they can hear that gentle sound just about anywhere. At the side of the house, a small pond--originally built by Norton as a "swimming hole" for the children--is now a place to experiment with water plants and keep the resident birds happy.

Azaleas serve as a backdrop for the rest of the garden, and the yard is a showplace of color each spring. The majority of the couple's hundreds of azaleas are found in the backyard garden, where the sloping landscape not only provides excellent drainage but also offers protection from the wind.

The terraced paths provide an ideal environment for growing azaleas. The plants thrive in the dappled-sunlight and raised-bed conditions. Tree limbs are cut high to allow air to circulate throughout the garden area; this helps prevent fungus on the azaleas and helps to keep the entire garden cool in late summer.

The Rodgerses are passionate about their plants--they love the variety of color in the spring and the texture in the summer and fall. In the beginning, the couple planted azaleas in bright colors with the simple goal of adding life to the shaded garden, but these days, they seek out unusual varieties and new colors. As regular attendees of horticultural events throughout the Southeast, they are always looking for something different to add to the landscape.

Time and tenderness are also given to the more than 75 potted plants sprinkled throughout the landscape. These plants require over an hour's worth of daily watering. Each winter, the pots are moved into a greenhouse, where they receive special attention and care before emerging again in the spring. Norton also uses the potted plants to satisfy his interest in experimenting with new varieties and breeds.

Another love Norton and Gail share is for wildflowers. Woven throughout their extensive azalea collection, visitors discover native plant surprises such as Crossvine and Lenten Roses. Norton carries an old wildflower book with him everyday; his love for wildflowers stems from his childhood, when he enjoyed playing in the woods and picking unusual plants for family members to identify.

Family and friends still play a meaningful role in the Rodgerses' garden. Many of the plants here are gifts from friends and neighbors. And instead of going by their botanical names, many plants are known by names such as "Chuck's Azalea" or "Mother's Azalea."

"It is a nice way of thinking of someone," Gall said. "When the plant blooms, you think about the person who gave it to you."

Truly, this yard is full of sweet sentiments and well wishes--a garden of memories and friendships.

10 tips for alluring azaleas

1. Mississippi has the perfect climate for growing azaleas. They love mild, humid locations.

2. Drainage is very important. To test drainage, dig a six-inch hole in the garden and fill it with water. If it doesn't drain within four hours, consider beds raised at least a foot above ground level to better accommodate the delicate root systems.

3. A site sloping north or east is usually best to help protect the plant from wind.

4. Shade is great but not always necessary. Most azaleas can handle morning sun with shade after 1 p.m.

5. Ideally, soil pH should be between 5.0 and 5.5 or so for azaleas to thrive.

6. Mulch with oak leaves or pine needles about 4-6 inches deep.

7. Don't overwater, especially in fall. Plants kept dry in September will tend to harden off and be better prepared for the winter.

8. If the fall has been excessively dry, watering should be done after the first killing frost. At that time, watering will not reduce winter hardiness but will prepare the plant for winter. The soil should be thoroughly moist before cold weather sets in.

9. Cottonseed meal is a good fertilizer. Fertilize in May if possible, and don't fertilize after July 1.

10. There is little need for pruning, though azaleas do sometimes branch poorly and form a loose, open shrub. To correct, pinch out the soft new shoots of vigorous-growing plants. Do not pinch after July because flower buds will not have time to develop for the following year.