This is my friend Rhoda, the rhododendron. Rhoda lives outside my bedroom window and is the perfect weather reporter. When a look up at the sky tells me little, Rhoda can be depended upon to report rain, sleet, snow and especially frigid conditions.
The day this photo was taken it was not too cold as the leaves are open to catch the snow. Today they are open and drip with icicles so although it is below freezing, it is not much below. As the temperatures drop farther and farther, the leaves will curl back, sides to middle, till they look like tight little green cigars and the whole plant structure is visible.
Rhoda has been known to give hospitality to nesting birds. The Mockingbird is especially fond of this location. And of course she blooms beautifully each spring. Here she is in the top left corner.
Spring! Coming soon!
My computer is currently being held hostage for ransom but I am working to be able to upload new photos through hubby’s which will include Rhoda’s weather transformations.
Elaine, I love your relationship with your plants! I have two Japaconia that I can see from my desk window. Their leaves are bowed down like closed umbrellas, heavy with ice. When the wind blows them, as it is doing right now, the branch-filled leaves move as one unit. I will have to pay more attention to them now. These two bushes used to be along my front porch–that’s where I planted them when they were babies. But they grew up to block my view so we moved them. I was quite surprised they survived and have thrived! Now they edge my woods, giving me strands of pearls each Spring to enjoy–much more than they ever did along the porch where I rarely noticed them because they had to compete with all my other flowers.
Your own gardens are so lovely Cathy, such a tribute to your vision and hard work; I really appreciate your compliments on my plants.