“They say you start weaving clearer, sharper memories after you’ve been to a place at least twice. Because then the reflection is more of validation. Let the rush come to you and let your senses be flushed the first time. There will be time for reflection after you’ve had your fill.”
― Psyche Roxas-Mendoza

For the past few days, I have been focussing my attention on the rhododendron in our backyard garden. It’s my first time with this beautiful flowering shrub and I’m enjoying watching it bloom.

What starts as cones at the tips of the branches soon changes to colourful clusters which burst into flower, one at a time. The blossom pictured above is an example of that process. One single flower, the first and fresh, has just opened. You can see the rest of the cluster just behind it. That cluster will open, one at a time over the next few days and remain in bloom for several days. As you can also see from a post yesterday, bees love these flowers and end up coated in pollen as they move from bloom to bloom.

From what I have read online, rhododendrons can be a challenge to maintain, as they require specific soil Ph, as well as moisture and the right amount of sunlight. I suppose this will become my ‘challenge’ plant. I’m hoping to keep it going for many years, it brings such brightness to our garden in a time when we eagerly await our summer bloomers, like peony, to brighten up our little oasis.

Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/200 sec, f/7.1 ISO 100

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