The buzz about rhododendrons

When I was a little girl, my grandmother had a large rhododendron that bordered her chimney and living room window. She loved its giant pink orbs that just popped out of the landscape and shouted from the rooftops that spring was finally here. She loved all the bees that practically dove head first into each blossom, thrilled with the fact that there was finally something delicious after a long winter.

Prior to living in our new home, Josh and I lived in Ipswich, and would frequent Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield. They have a lovely walking trail there that I would take advantage of while he took nature photos. Around halfway down this path, you come to a rather swampy area that is immediately followed by a large row of rhododendrons. When these shrubs are in bloom, they quiver with bee activity. And the buzzing. The buzzing is almost disconcerting if you don't realize what is going on in the bushes.

We now have a gigantic row of rhododendrons along the street side of our house. I was suspicious of them at first. Were they healthy? Were half of them dead inside but we couldn't tell yet? Were we looking at another pain in the neck to haul out in the spring?

I am pleased to report that the rhododendrons have been the one true success that remained from the previous owners. (I almost feel like they overheard us talking about whether we should cut them back or not. "No, don't touch us! We'll bloom! We'll bloom! We swear!") They have bloomed their little hearts out. And 95% of the blossoms are a lovely lavender/pink, while a little rogue spot on the end is a vibrant fuchsia. The color is just phenomenal.  And it's in our yard.  OUR YARD! The same yard that had the pile of hideous bushes at the end of the driveway! The same yard that still has metal fence poles around a non-existing in ground pool! Yeah, that yard!

 

 

 

Hipstamatic Closeup of Rogue Rhododendron:

If I'm going to be completely honest with myself, my favorite part of the rhodies (yeah, we're on a nickname basis now) has been the giant bumblebees that are hanging out all over them. Our rhodies have been buzzing away just like the ones in Topsfield, and it tickles me to watch the bumblebees make their way from blossom to blossom. And wiggle their fuzzy little bums. That part definitely amuses me.  Bumblebee bums!

I really wanted to zoom in here more so you could appreciate the BBs, but you have no idea how hard it is to take a non-blurry photo of them.  Too much bum wiggling.
The rhodies are nearly gone by at this point, but I have thoroughly enjoyed them this year. Spring is here. Bees are here. Color is back after grey winter months. I love it.