Over to you dear friends
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
Friday, June 22, 2018
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 .
Boule De Neige a bit later yet
Wojnar’s Purple
Boule De Neige a bit later yet
Wojnar’s Purple
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