Rododendrons of course. The original Rhodies were planted on the farm at least 75 or 80 years ago. Over the ensuing years they’ve been mauled by Hurricanes from Hazel to Floyd to Irene, Nor’Easters, falling trees, heavy snow and everything else nature can throw at them and still….they thrive.
This bloom is on one of the newer volunteers. The filtered morning sun was spotlighting the bloom perfectly giving the scene a tropical jungle effect.
Rhododendron is from the Greek words “Rhodon” for Rose and “Dendron” for tree. There are hundreds of varieties from small shrubs to large trees and they grow just about everywhere on the planet from the tropics to the Himalayas. The original shrub here must be about 25 feet in diameter and at least 15 to 20 feet tall. In a word, Huge! Off shoots have spread beyond the Azalea and Rododendron Beds into the Camellias and Dogwoods and beyond. No one seems to have had an appetite for controlling them. They all share the same fondness for Acidic Soil. A PH of 5.5 is ideal. Rhodies like light, well drained soil with ample moisture particularly in the summers. As you might suspect, acid type compost is best: pine needles, decayed oak leaves etc. As North Carolinians say, “Get yourself one. It’ll probably outlive you.” See you next time on most of this same site.
John harding 