These are crazy, over-the-top blooms. When did they go out of fashion?
I'll take them over roses any day.
11 May 2015
Rhodie overload
In the midst of rhododendron season I just ran across an article by a landscaper commenting that rhodies "have been out of style" but are now trending back "in." I was surprised. It was like learning that denim was out but is now back in...I had completely missed the dip.
I first met up with rhodies while living in Alabama, where I also loved azaleas every spring.
When we moved to western Oregon I was so happy to see rhodies thriving in the climate here.
They look like they'd be a lot of trouble, but they are sooo not-fussy. They love the wet winters and do fine in the warm dry summer. They don't seem prone to insects and disease.
Not having a green thumb, these are plants that will actually grow well in my yard. The deer don't bother them, and one doesn't have to baby them like rose bushes.
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Yep, I'm a rhodie fan too. I especially like the wild ones that grow in the Cascade foothills.
ReplyDeleteThe wild ones are beautiful. In Alabama and GA they were orange.
Deletebeauty like this is NEVER out of style!
ReplyDeleteRight?
DeleteThey've never been out of style with me. I kinda don't like when someone tells me what is in style and what is not, especially when they usually are wearing a mink hat, striped shirt with a bow tie, plaid pants and sandals without socks.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I agree! Socks with sandals allllll the wayyyy!
DeleteRhododendrons out of style? No way. These are so beautiful, full, and colorful.
ReplyDeleteThey are, and we are lucky to live in a region where they grow. :)
DeleteBeautiful, Kerry. I wish they did well in Wisconsin. After my walk in the arboretum last Saturday I'm gaga over lilacs, like I always have been, but also the amazing crabapple trees! Gorgeous! This seems to be a stellar year for flowering trees here. Just wish I could capture the scent in the pictures!
ReplyDeleteSome people can grow lilacs here in OR, but not me. Too much shade. :( The neighbors have a lilac bush and if it droops over the fence I always pick some. You should take a pic of the lilacs and post it on fb.
Deletelots of rhodies in appalachia, though i first encountered them in the pacific NW! i learned something interesting though, when camping the past few years in west virginia in a mountain laurel and rhodie-covered park: rhododendron wood is toxic to burn. you should never make your campfire with fallen rhodie twigs or use them for roasting marshmallows!
ReplyDeleteOh! Well, that is good to know.Will file in my memory bank & hope it sticks.
DeleteDon't want to die from poisoning my toasted marshmallows! What a dumb way to go. On the other hand, what better way?
DeleteI imagine it's like hem lengths: the style is totally set by the stylists. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes! They are the same people, probably. As Heidi Klum says "In fashion one day you're in, and the next day you're out!"
Deletewow such a nice bloom. Here one must pamper them to get them to grow. I am impressed. I need to go to Oregon some spring just to see all of them. I have lots of lilacs and enjoy their scent.
ReplyDeleteWell now, I wouldn't mind some lilacs. Their fragrance is divine. Rhodies don't have that.
DeleteI love azaleas and really miss the three large bushes I had at the city house. alas, the drought four years ago did them in. I suppose they were already stressed and I wasn't there to water them every day. I do have half a dozen small ones here at the country house. no rhodies down here. guess it gets too hot. too bad. I would love to have them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame about your azaleas; they do like water in dry weather. So do rhodies, but I think they're tougher & can survive a bit of drought. You have an amazing garden Ellen, even if it does sport a copperhead or two.
DeleteI love the rhodos too, Your blossoms are beautiful, lovely images. Enjoy your week ahead!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eilleen! My weekend was good.
DeleteGorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous photos. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Thank you Cubano. The flowers are gorgeous.moreso than my photos really.
DeleteSuch delicious spring blooms! Treats for the eyes.
ReplyDeleteAren't they? And so long-lasting. They're still blooming away out there, weeks after these pics.
Deletehehehe, i missed the dip too!!! i know how important it is to "stay with the trends" but it just goes to show that if you wait long enough, everything comes back into style!!
ReplyDeletethey are GORGEOUS, i love all the different colors!!!
Right? I'm waiting for the baggy shirts from the 80's to come back in. I still have some.
DeleteHave you even been to Hendrick's Park in Eugene? It's a lovely rhody garden that was started over 100 yeas ago.
ReplyDelete