Weekend 77: Rhododendron

This morning I told Kate about my plan to visit Rhododendron section in arboretum and I managed and I am really happy about it as it’s going to rain tomorrow and as per our weather forecast department we might see more snow on Monday.

Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal, the state flower of Sikkim in India and the state flower of West Virginia and Washington. It is is a genus of 1,024 species of woody plants in the heath family. I am sure I have seen more than 100 plants/shrubs and I found it difficult to see the exact difference between two similar plants with similar colour. All were gorgeous.

All the parts of Rhododendrons are dangerous, especially leaves, showing symptoms of Stomach irritation, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rate and rhythm, convulsions, coma, death. Honey made from the nectar of Rhododendron flowers is also toxic and should not be consumed.

Azaleas make up two subgenera of Rhododendron. They are distinguished from “true” rhododendrons by having only five anthers per flower. I wanted to see the Christopher Wren Mollis Hybrid Azalea (the above bud). The Mollis deciduous azalea hybrids were developed in Belgium. These are orange azaleas which were yet to bloom. They might be ready in next couple of days.

It was good to see many smiling faces.

Weather and the flowers change human behaviour in a good way.

None the less, I enjoyed the beauties today and was quite surprised seeing various shades of blue. Each one was different yet more gorgeous than others.

Rhododendrons are referred to as the King of Shrubs since they are regarded by many as the best flowering evergreen plants for the temperate landscape

Jo’s Monday Walk

For more information:

https://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/mostpopularflowers/morepopularflowers/rhododendron