Rhododendrons

I have been reading about, collecting, and growing Rhododendrons since 1986— the year I moved to my woodland home on the St. Lawrence. The Rhododendron was discovered by a 16th century Flemish botanist, Charles l’Ecluse and it was introduced to Britain in 1656 from the European Alps, and so the name Alpine Rose for Rhododendron histrum.I  have grown “ Rhodo’s” from seed and coddled ones that I had no business trying to grow in zone 5. I learned that I could “push the envelope” if  I buried them  in oak leaves in the fall. So, over the eighteen years on the St. Lawrence my Rhodos and I lived together in a symbiotic nurturing relationship. I was saddened to leave them when I moved to the Rideau. I managed to move three of the ones I grew from seed and have long forgotten their names. They struggled there, but did their best... as did I. We missed the oak leaves that protected the tender buds that set in the summer and were subject to the nasty cold January nights. Here though, in Nova Scotia, I have tried my hand again. The diminutive indigenous rhododendron is an early bloomer and with it and its cousin “ Leather Leaf” gracing my woodland trails I was optimistic that my hybridized Rhodos would be happy. I provided them wind break last winter and did not lose one single bud that I know of. Now, almost done their show that began six weeks ago starting with some beautiful un-named lilac coloured miniatures, I am once a again in the presence of my beloved Rhodos. It has occurred to me that many of us are passionate about peonies,  some of us collect iris, grow roses with unparalleled diligence, while still others have hostas from around the world. Whether or not these passions are a reflection of us individually, they are undoubtedly and expression of joy .

Over to you dear friends

https://www.rhodoland.nl/general_information.en.htm

Capistrano blooms mid season . (I regret not taking this earlier when it was perfect.)

Nova Zembla blooms here just a little later that Capistrano.

Boule De Neige a bit later yet

Wojnar’s Purple

Underneath the wind

The north wind blew heartily this June 2nd and 3rd dropping the temperature from the high 20’s C to a crispy 9 degrees in 24 hours. What that meant was another layer of sweaters and no bug spray! I protect Molly with a product called “Force Field” and myself with a Watkins product and despite the onslaught of heavily armed ranks of black flies we prevail— untouched or even approached by these formidable foes. Despite this, it is most refreshing to get out on a chilly wind whipped June morning to lie on moist moss, bug free, and bug spray free, to revel in the beauty around us. The Tamarak leaves are a long, soft, pale green now, and the buds on the pitcher plants are well up. Bunch Berries never fail to thrill me in their singular beauty and in their profusion. If anything, it is they that take me back to my formative years spent in the Black Spruce forests of Thunder Bay.

Unfound in Thunder Bay memories, are the white and red orchids that stand tall in the forests of Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore, adding their touch of mystery and elegance to a fresh June 3 morning.

Flower buds on the pitcher plants 

Bunch Berry (Cornus Canidensis)

Lady Slipper growing near one of the Pitcher Plant bogs

Lady Slipper yet to open

Lady Slipper on the hill

Three of them!