The last hurrah – May 27-30 (and a few late season bloomers)
Today is June 1 – other than the purples, not many blooms remain. It was a cool, wet Spring. Fastuosum flore pleno are looking great. Anah Kruschke is stall hanging in. The deciduous azaleas have some blooms but are fading fast. Pinky-purple is still quite fresh. A few Jean Maries have decent blooms. Roslyn just began to bloom as did Pink Walloper, which is amazing. The deep freeze this winter (19 degrees) damaged many buds. About 15 of our rhodies had no blooms – some went straight to new growth, which is not a bad thing.
early June
These have been causing quite a bit of damage. It’s a spittle bug. They get into the blooms and eat them. There is also a stage in which they devour leaves. I’ve been finding them as I deadhead the blooms. The size is this: o.
June 7, 2022 – latest bloomers
End of a thrilling three months with rhododendrons – excellent spring weather for them – extra cool and wet.
I’d expected Roslyn would be the last to bloom this season, however Vicki Reine came through with this impressive display. She had a hard time with wind damage this winter, and I was concerned for her health, so I added a wind break, and she seems to be doing well. This picture was June 19, 2022. She managed just enough willpower to produce one astounding blossom.
I’ve planted flowers besides rhododendrons, most of which bloom after the rhodies. I especially like the wand flowers, known by other names such as dierama, angel’s fishing rod, and my favorite: Australian elf wand. The larger yellow flowers are a rare variety of evening primrose which grow locally but are a threatened species, evidently because they are sporty (ready to hybridize). The hedge is escallonia and is now up to five feet tall. I planted 44 escallonia.
