The Frederic P. Lee Commendation is a memorial to the late Frederic P. Lee of Bethesda, MD who, as an amateur gardener interested in azaleas, greatly contributed to the propagation, culture, care, and general appreciation of azaleas through his many horticultural activities, especially the writing and publication of this authoritative volume, “The Azalea Book.”

The Frederic P. Lee Commendation was established in 1982 by the members of the Brookside Gardens Chapter of the ASA. It is given annually to an individual or group member of the Chapter in recognition of his/her/their distinguished contribution through participation in the activities of the Brookside Gardens Chapter — hybridization, propagating, writing, lecturing, teaching, or any other appropriate activity while a member of the Chapter.

The Brookside Gardens chapter's annual flower show is the oldest continuous, open, juried flower show in the Azalea Society. The first show was held in the south conservatory at Brookside Gardens on May 17, 1980. Ably chaired by the late Cleo Moosburger, the show was largely patterned after a National Federation of Garden Clubs’ “Standard” flower show, and has been improved over the years. After several successful years at that location with the likes of Lois Bowker and the late Rusty Laguardia serving as show chairman, it was decided to try a more public location, in other words, to go where the public was, instead of hoping the public would come to Brookside Gardens. In 1984 and 1985, the show was held at Wheaton Plaza Mall in Wheaton, Maryland under the splendid leadership of Denise Stelloh, who went on to hold the show chairmanship for more than ten years. In 1986, the show was moved to the Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland to become a part of the Landon Azalea Festival, a natural collaboration. Succeeding Denise Stelloh as chairpersons of the Flower show at the Landon School were Bobbi McCeney, Tina Kelley, and Margaret Vogel.

Our Flower Show history made full circle in May 2004 by returning to Brookside Gardens, where it will remain for the foreseeable future. Over the years, atypical Winters, early Springs, and last minute freezes have all had their effect, but like the Timex watch that keeps on ticking, the Brookside Gardens chapter flower show remains one of the best educational experiences anywhere. See the Brookside Gardens chapter activities list for the dates of the show this year.

The table below lists the Best-in-Show winners, exhibitors and cultivars since 1980:

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Updated 23 June 2008