Rhododendrons

When I moved into Sassafras House, there were large and established rhododendrons on either side of the porch.  Last year, the rhododendron on the west side began to look a bit peaked.  By March, the verdict was in: the rhododendron had died.  I mourned for a bit but as Spring began its tentative arrival, it seemed clear that I must take action.  On the last weekend in April, T and I cut out the dead plant and replaced it with a new rhododendron.

We also staked up the rhododendron on the other side of the stairs, to give it space and make it easier to walk up to the house.  Since then, things have looked quite splendid on both sides of the steps.  the older rhododendron is having its usual splendid Spring.  

The new rhododendron is getting after some pretty impressive growth of its own.  It may never catch up, but it’s making quite an effort, urged on by my impressive peony.

My front steps are welcoming.  That’s happy!

Rhododendron Report

On either side of my front steps are rhododendron bushes that come into their own when May arrives.  This month is no exception and a bit earlier than usual, purple began to show itself on the edges of the tight flower buds.

Earlier this week, I came home to discover that the first flower had burst open.  It was such a lovely welcome home.

There are many others set to follow.

The weeks ahead will bring me dozens of lovely purple flowers.  The display will be splendid and abundant and it will make come home after a long busy day that much sweeter.

Mother Nature always gets to be garish in a way that I envy.

A Visit to the Rhodies

Over the winter, I read a D.E. Stevenson book set in Scotland, Celia’s House.  The descriptions of the scenery were lovely and as the Spring transitioned into Summer the characters packed up a picnic and headed out to the woods to “see the rhodies.”  Rhododendron season was a long way away when I read the novel in January but May has arrived and it’s rhodie season around here.  

These rhododendrons live on either side of my front steps, greeting the day when we leave for school in the morning.

And welcoming us home each evening.

May, you are lovely.