June 6, 2011

Rhododendrons are amazingly beautiful

When I first came to New England I wondered about this rather large leaved green shrub that was so commonly planted around houses here. It was green all winter long which I figured was the reason it was so ubiquitous. But once here in late May, I was amazed to see the plant burst into brilliant color, rose or white, with flowers at once large, and massed in great clusters.

These plants need little or no care during the year. In winter the leaves take cold down to 0 degrees or less. The foliage droops a little but the cold does no harm. Once well established rhododendrons need little care.

Azaleas and rhododendrons are shrubs for all seasons. In winter some stand out with large evergreen leaves. I. The spectacular spring flowers of azaleas and rhododendrons make them among the most popular garden shrubs.

At Ramapo Rhododendron