Do you remember my post, Hydrangeas HO HUM? (click HERE to read). My feelings about hydrangeas at the time were pretty meh. Until I spent some time observing and photographing them when I quickly changed my mind. I discovered amazing flowers, with texture, color, and interest far beyond my expectations. I’m currently having the same experience with Rhododendrons. They have about 2 weeks of bloom then – boom – it is over, and you get 50 weeks of blah. BUT this year, after a disgusting, rainy April, I enjoyed discovering a new outlook on these mundane, often overused plants.

The deluge of rain this spring has produced amazing, huge flowers and a lushness we rarely expect of our Rhododendrons. I discovered a ‘new to me’ large cultivar blooming for the first time.

The giant white/pink trusses (how the flowers of Rhododendrons are held on the plant) had lovely open faces.

Shocking pink pistils alongside soft pink anthers (sexual organs of flowers) and the flourish of re-curved petals (turned backward). Although I’m not normally a fan of pink, this beautiful plant stopped me in my tracks. Then I looked around and noticed the rhododendron I have looking far better than ever before. Bright colors of orange, red, purple and white were vibrant and full.

Here are some pictures of the amazing rhododendrons that grow in my garden. I use many of these species in the designs I create because they have great color, are easy to grow, and have an unusual leaf or fragrance. Many Rhododendrons that I love are from the azalea family and have brilliant fall color as well.