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Our previous garden was near Edinburgh in Scotland, so it won’t be surprising that we had a few rhododendrons growing there. However, we have none here in our garden in Suffolk and I must admit that I do miss their beauty.
Although our garden wouldn’t be very suitable for growing rhododendrons (nor would it have the space), we do see them when we’re away from home. A couple of days away gave us the chance to see them in gardens that are rather cooler and moister than our own. It gave me the chance to photograph one or two of them too. So while I may never be likely to enjoy rhododendrons in this garden, I can still admire their loveliness when I’m out on a garden visit.
We’re back home after a mini-break, and now it’s time to get on with work here – there are plants calling for my attention. (And one or two new purchases… 🙂 )
Ann Mackay: Inspired by Nature 
“What’s in a name?” asked Shakespeare. Rhododendron, which means literally ‘rose tree’, is actually in the heath family, not the rose family.
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Interesting…much bigger than the rest of the family members, I should think!
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They are beautiful. We’re lucky to have quite a few large gardens that are open to the public and a large park within short driving distances that feature rhododendrons and azaleas. I have to stand close and stare at them, to get my fill. I also love the exquisite flower buds.
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They are gorgeous. I used to spend a lot of time at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh and the period when the rhododendrons and azaleas were in flower was absolutely wonderful.
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I love rhododendrons! My parents always had some in their garden and I used to put them in my hair when I was a kid. I also love the huge masses of them you sometimes find in the woods.
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Sounds like you have very happy memories of them! I love them too – they’re so delicate and pretty. One of the first plants I bought for my first garden was a pale pink rhododendron and I reckon it played a big part in getting me hooked on gardening. 🙂
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen pale pink rhododendrons – just purple and maybe a purplish pink. I’ll have to keep an eye out for different colours.
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It’s worth looking out for them if you get the chance…there’s reds, yellows, oranges, and whites as well as the range of pinks and purples to find. 🙂 (I used to live near a botanic garden that had a big collection of them. A wonderful place to explore in spring.)
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Beautiful macro shots pf these gorgeous blossoms, Ann!
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Thank you Indira – I was lucky to get the chance to photograph these. 🙂
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I’m not sure I’ve seen rhododendrons; looking at your photos, I would have said, ‘Azaleas.’ Since azaleas grow so prolifically here, there’s certainly a chance the rhododendrons do, too. It’s interesting to see how much more like our native azaleas these flowers appear, at least in terms of stamens and pistil. I’m glad you had a chance to visit these, and share them!
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We get both in gardens over here but the rhododendrons are usually much bigger and have bigger leaves and a more bell-shaped flower. (Or so I believe! 🙂 )
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Rhodie season here in Cornwall too. I popped into a local NT garden this week and admired the colours. I’m not a big fan of the foliage (prefer the daintier Azaleas) but there is no denying the impact of those large flowers.
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I can imagine that Cornwall will have some gorgeous colours around and lots of them too. I miss seeing the lovely displays that you get in some Scottish gardens. Bit too dry over here really!
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I didn’t know that rhododendrons preferred cooler conditions, always considered them a heat- and moisture-loving plant, and somewhat tropical. I guess Scotland doesn’t count as tropical. 😊
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Well, I think that they prefer not too hot or too cold and some parts of Scotland would certainly be too cold. Here in Suffolk I sometimes see them growing in gardens with more moisture and where there’s some shade from big trees. Our garden feels more Mediterranean in summer – very hot and dry. (And I think fairly alkaline, though I’ve never tested it.) The west of Scotland is fairly mild and has a good rainfall and it seems to suit rhododendrons very well, as does Cornwall.
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Thank you for the added information, Ann.
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Some of our lanes are bursting with rhododendrons right now; pink, crimson, purple, orange, red. We have the cooler temperatures and moist soil. The National Trust have recently removed a lot from the moorland reservoir bankings as they (rhododendrons) are stripping the surrounding soil of much needed nutrients and water retention for the rewetting of the moors. They look spectacular in gardens and along lanes in mass at this time of year though.
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That does sound like a wonderful sight, Jill! I do miss seeing them but maybe that means I need to visit more gardens where they grow. 🙂
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