The first flower on my Rhododendron

It's beautiful Lori! Worth waiting for! It has been cold here too this month; can't seem to get over 55F and mostly overcast - what a cold May!!

What's really sad, Grammazoo, is that it will soon be June...what happened to our spring... the upside is my delphiniums are liking it.
You win some -- etc.

Know what you mean, Lori! I think this is the longest that my lilacs have ever stayed in bloom...

It looks great Lori. Well worth the wait. I was dead heading yesterday and today. The definite downside to rhodies.

Oh my yes! You could be busy for awhile! lol.
Sarah & Grammazoo: any suggestions for my next rhodo?
There was frost last night...(on the roofs..but still) They are calling for frost tonight in the Muskoka/Haliburton regions and in some parts of the Ottawa Valley... It's almost June, already! (shakes her fist) lol

There are so many fabulous rhodies out there. There are scented ones that add even more to your garden. I am watching one in particular in my garden (outside my kitchen window) called Strawberry Sundae and it my favourite to watch come to bloom, The buds are a super dark pink and as the bloom progresses it gets lighter and lighter but the layer of buds open gradually so you get a progression of light to dark, top to bottom. It is a quite big plant though, leaves are about 8" long and it is about 7' tall. Don't know its hardiness either. Are there any rhododendron specialty nurseries near you?

Will have to check at the local nurseries...rhodies require special care because our sub-soil is calcitic... That's a really big plant...you must have the perfect soil and yes hardiness is a factor with everything I buy. I would imagine that anything I find locally would be hardy but will be sure to check them out well. Strawberry Sundae...hmmm. sounds delicious
Thanks Sarah.

Very lovely shade of pink.! Mine has already turned brown, enjoy them while you can...!

This is my only rhodie, Flcrazy. I'm a little worried because she's losing her leaves.... and when I deadhead she's going to look like she was scalped...going to try giving her a boost with magnesium sulphate once she's finished to see if that helps with her leaves before I get crazy and transplant her to a new spot.