Monday, June 09, 2008

It's been quite a spring here in The 'Kan EWA. We had a full blown Indian Winter--is there such a thing? with snow this morning even. Some of the ski resorts are only closing now. I wear my black Burberry to work still. So with such a later winter imagine my surprise to see the roses start to bloom. I do not ever remember roses blooming the first week in June but as you can see here Climbing Shot Silk is definitely doing just that. Annnnd Dreamweaver is now in bloom, too. Amazing! I'm assuming the record moisture has contributed to the unfolding faces of the pink roses at Bellemaison.

What is right on time and lighting up the joint are the rhododendrons. My people are no slouches when it comes to growing rhododendrons, read that Bula T and Marc T, but I think I am holding my own and will merit at least an honorable mention when the family All Star Rhodendron Growers List comes out. Judge for yourself and don't forget to ooooohhh and aaaaah loud enough for me to hear you.































































































































































8 comments:

Mrs. Mac said...

Your Rhodies are beauties! Mine bloomed at the end of April/beginning of May ... they're a dwarf variety I planted last year and was shocked to see them bloom so soon.

JBelle said...

omigosh mrs. mac! that's Seattle-like! it's all very strange, isn't it?

Julie said...

Is that Trudy Webster I see in your list of Rhododendrons?

They are all very lovely. I only have a couple of them. It gets a bit warm here for them to stay nice.

JBelle said...

Julie! I knew you'd ask. The tags are long, long gone. I have no idea. I buy them in Seattle; the selection is so much better. I tempt fate, though as some are too tender to be grown here. Why they survive and most of them are at least ten years old, is a joyful mystery.

PDX Pup said...

Awesome pictures, mom! Bellemaison looks like it's going to have a great year!

JBelle said...

okay, yeah. whatever. Schmapp hasn't called. Bastards.

PDX Pup said...

Well, isn't Bellemaison a little like Neverland, Number 12 Grimmauld Place (that's a Harry Potter reference) or Brigadoon? It's un-mappable (un-Schmappable?), you can only get there with someone who has been there before, and it only emerges from the mists to be found every 20 years or so?

Carla said...

Your rhodos are fabulous!!! Lovely indeed.