This beautiful late-blooming tortoise shell rhododendron is a symbol of endurance. Not only is it a spectacular color show against the green cedar backdrop, it provides a classic demonstration of the parts of a flower in each bell-shaped bloom. A quick check at www.prairiefrontier.com/.../flwrparts.jpg, confirmed that I still remembered that elementary science lesson. The center long robust pollen tube is the pistil-made up of stigma, style and ovary. The stamens are the threadlike filaments capped by the anther. Magnificent! Miraculous! Spectacular!
Even more miraculous however, is the fact that this rhodo is still alive. After getting a number of rhodos about eight years ago, I realized that they weren't doing well, in fact all of them were looking so hopeless, in a relatively short time, that I took them out. Determined to doctor this one back to health, I replanted it several times paying close attention to location, soil, rhodo food and bug killer before it rallied and started to thrive. It was the nocturnal weavil that wreaked havoc on the unsuspecting rhodo leaves. These weavils are voracious and relentless in their quest for the rhodo. Now that it is vigorous it can stand on its own inspite of weavils, with just a modest amount of TLC. What a lesson for life - don't give up!
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