It happened almost over night
The first Rhododendron bud opened
My Rhododendrum shrubs (or Rhodies, as we like to call them) are full of buds
By the end of the day, a few other buds had started to bloom.
Soon, the entire shrub will be full of gorgeous blooms such as this one from last May.
Rhodies are abundant in this part of the world. “Tall, wild varieties can reach over 35 feet high, and are found throughout the coastal mountain ranges from New York to Georgia. Designated as West Virginia’s state flower, rhododendrons are particularly abundant in the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge mountains. Species in the Pacific northwest from northern California to British Columbia vary in heights” (www.library.illinois.edu)
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
Beautiful LB, I had one once, but I managed to kill it, your images make me want to try growing one again.
Leanne, I’m really lucky that the shrubs were here when I bought the house and over the past 17 years they have thrived with no effort on my part. They grow abundantly in my part of the world. Good luck if you try again – I came across quite a few sites that offer tips and info.
Nice!
Thank you, Robyn. There are even more buds opening this morning, lucky me 🙂
We used to have white ones…. I prefer yours!
I’m so lucky that the previous homeowner planted this gorgeous color oh so many years ago!
I’m so envious! I would love to have these in a landscape. Unfortunately it’s too cold here. Phooey. 35 feet of fuchsia blooms….outrages ! Are those seed pods on the leaf in the last photo LB? Just blows me out of the water, gorgeous!
I’ll take a photo so you can see them all in bloom! Mine shrubs are about 15 ft high. Such a spirit lifter to see the whole front of the house dressed in fuchia! I’m not sure about those being the seed pods. I was reading a bit about harvesting those … I’ll have to research more.
Beautiful. I am still waiting for green leaves on the trees.
We are just starting to see green leaves … surely does lift the spirits!
We have them here too Laurie 🙂 In our local Botanic Garden [which is classified as one of the greats :-)] there is a large area known as the Rhododendron Dell which is curated by a Scottish gentleman and which plays host to a festival every year when the flowers are in full bloom. Many folk around this country are fond of them and I have inherited many rhodies in different gardens.
Oh I’d love to see that Botanic Garden … when the North Americans take the private jet across the ocean for a visit please take us there (don;t I wish I had a private jet 🙂 )
Here are some short video clips to whet your appetite. Fire up that jet plane 🙂 http://www.dunedinbotanicgarden.co.nz/about/dunedin-botanic-garden-video
Oh! I love Rhodies, LB. The colour of the one in your photos is striking. How beautiful will it be when all the buds are in bloom! Thanks for sharing a taste of your Spring. xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
You are so welcome and by the way … your enthusiasm is infectious! Love it!
Beautiful shots Laurie, great color too 🙂
I’m so lucky to have inherited Rhodies of this color. So beautiful!
Gorgeous photos, Laurie. I love flowers just before they bud, and of course once in full bloom. These remind me of the UK. Stunning. Ah, spring.
Those buds sure bring a big smile to my face. I know what’s coming and I can’t wait 🙂
🙂
Hey you, I like this one,
actually I like everything
you add here 🙂
Andro xx
You are just too kind and thanks!!! Enjoy this day!
Hey you too LB
Andro xx
They are one of my top favorites!!!!
Mine, too! Something about the beautiful buds, the variety of colors, the size and endurance of the blooms … just gorgeous!
gorgeous flower…very crisp clear photos…do you use a tripod?
Thanks Heather. I did not use a tripod. In fact, the only time I’ve used a tripod was in the night time photos in my previous post. I was however leaning tightly up against the porch railing 🙂
Your photos are so gorgeous! It’s amazing.
What an incredible colour! Love both the flowers and the foliage of rhododendrons – it’s too bad most of them aren’t hardy enough to grow here. Fabulous photos!
We call them Rhodies here, too. In Oregon they grow wild in the forest, but all the forest blossoms are pink. Do any grow wild over there?