Rhododendron season

Just as I realize that the lilac blooms are fading in the cool rain, there is no time to mourn. My attention is drawn to huge bushes with balls of color ranging from pale pink to maroon. It seems like every house in our town is proudly displaying at least one bush and often whole groves.

Our small tree in the back struggles to produce a few bursts. I am delighted to see the green leaves coming back on the lower branches that had been stripped this winter by hungry deer.

Rhododendron, rhódon déndron, ῥόδον ῥόδον, rose tree, is the national flower of Nepal.

Rose tree, I like that.