You might remember me mentioning the Cape Cod chapter of the American Rhodo dendron Society last month, when we hosted their annual dinner meeting at work.
The members of the society have created and tend a wonderful display garden on the hillside of the Snow Library Green on the corner of Main Street and Route 6A in Orleans. This afternoon, believing there wasn't much to see in the garden at home(more on that later), I stopped to wander through some of the rhododendrons currently in bloom.
I've yet to track down a map of the plantings, so I can't really tell you much about these different varieties...but I sure can show them to you!
I'm not even sure that alien- looking plant above is a rhodo dendron.
It may just be a nice companion plant in the location, like an array of hostas and pulmonaria and other nearby plants in the garden.
Interesting, though, isn't it?
It's entirely possible that the sub concious theme of this post is how little I know sometimes.
Rhodos aren't my area of expertise, and sadly, neither are trees, though I long to know them all intimately and am always pleased to meet a new one.
I was a bit star-struck by this particular tree, growing outside the library, but it's an unknown to me. Can anyone introduce me to this species? It sure is a show-stopper!
4 comments:
I know what you mean about not being an expert. My father is an expert, he is a plant nut and used to own a garden center. I always wish that I could know an iota of what he knows.
Could that tree be a variety of crepe myrtle. Just a thought, I might be way off but figured I'd throw it out there. Happy gardening!
I want to be a plant nut someday.
Thanks, Jeremy, for the introduction. This is looking like a decent match to crepe myrtle photos I'm finding online for comparison. 250 varieties!
There seems to be some discussion about whether it's "crepe" or "crape"...but that's half the fun of the common names!
Your picture of the "alien looking plant" is indeed a rhododendron. It is a species (found in the wild as opposed to being hybrid cross) and is called R. stenopetalum. The more common name that is used widely is R. linearifolium, but that was changed by someone several years ago.
Nice images, by the way.
Don, American Rhododendron Society
Hi Don!! Thanks for stopping by to bring some enlightenment! I love the "alien"--what a refreshing change in form from so many of its rhodo brethren!
It's a most beautiful garden. This was my first visit, but I'm hoping it won't be my last!
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