In any case, I get three weeks in Hawaii every year—safe from nasty shocks and practically for free—-whenever the rhododendrons start blooming in the Pacific Northwest.  They are bold, floriferous and sensual and when treated well will give back to the garden for decades.  The one that blooms outside my kitchen window (probably ‘Cynthia’) is a riot of hot fuchsia-colored blooms right now.  I know I should cut it back from the pane but it makes me feel like I’m living in a painting by Gauguin.

Rhododendrons are a lot tougher than people think.  They can be transplanted at any time of year as long as you water them heavily if you are transplanting in the warm season.  The rootballs come out like a thick “pancake” so that there is no tap root to struggle with.  Of course, they can be quite wide and heavy, so mobilize your troops if the rhododendron is larger than four feet tall.  However, they usually prefer shade during the hottest times of day or their leaves turn a sickly yellow. Conversely, with too much shade they won’t bloom as well.

There are other rhododendrons known more for their enormous leaves (Rhododendron sinogrande) or for the indumentum on the backs of their leaves, which is like a soft felt and can be rust colored (Rhododendron bureavii) or a kind of soft pink (Rhododendron yakushimanum).

Rhododendrons in pots are another matter.  They like a moist, organic soil but they need good drainage.  It can be difficult to get one to thrive in a container, but your best bet is to plant it by itself, plant it a bit high in the pot and be very careful not to overwater.

Finally, here’s a trick question:  Why are all azaleas also rhodedendrons, but not all rhodedendrons are azaleas?  (Answer:  Because Rhododendron  is the botanical genus for both azaleas and rhododendrons.  “Azalea” is the common name of some rhododendrons).

It won’t be long before we’ll all be there with snow

Snow

I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow

 Actually, probably not.  Bing Crosby sang this song in the movie White Christmas, but if you’ve just been without power for 18 hours this is the last thing on your mind.  However, when the weather calms down, or as the snow begins to melt here are some tips for preserving your plants, containerized or otherwise:

•  If the large plants in your containers are weighted down with snow, it is not a bad idea to take a broom or rake and gently brush them off to keep them from breaking.
•  Sunscald is rarely a problem in winter in the Pacific Northwest (sometimes not even in summer!), but if the sun does reappear suddenly it is helpful to drop an old sheet or light blanket over the plants to protect them from sunscald.   
• Don’t try to water your pots until the soil thaws, but keep an eye on the weather this winter and try to water before snow or freezing temperatures hit again.

 Don’t worry.  The plants are reacting naturally to frigid temperatures.  Their leaves curl in order to protect the leaves from membrane damage that can occur with repeated freeze/thaw cycles.  It does not seem to be true, as was once thought, that the curling leaves protect the plant from the dessication of cold temperatures.  once the weather warms up a bit the plants will return to normal.

 Watering:  If the weather forecast is for freezing temperatures, it is important to pre-water your container plants before the temperature drops too far.  If you are maintaining your own containers and have been checking the moisture in your pots regularly (at least once every two weeks) and watering anything that seemed dry, you should be fine.  Just add some water as soon as the soil in the pots is workable.  However, if you have not attended to your pots as frequently as you hoped, you may see some damage on the plants.  Be sure to check the moisture in the pots and add some water as soon as the soil thaws, and do check more frequently this winter, especially if your containers are under an eave or on a covered porch.  These are the pots that are frequently forgotten over the winter and therefore the ones that receive the most damage.

 Grooming:  If you are maintaining your own containers this winter, be sure to pick any fallen leaves out of the pots and nip off any leaves that may have browned.  Seasonal Color Pots installs only hardy plants in your winter containers (except for a few pansies, which should also perk up).  While nothing is as hardy in a pot as in the ground, outside of unheard of conditions—-such as an extended period of near-zero weather—-your plants will be fine.

 When I planned this trip to California, I asked around to see how much time you should devote to The Huntington.  I settled on two days, but you could spend several days there and not see anything twice—-or at least I could.

 Henry Edwards Huntington was a businessman who made his fortune in railroads, utilities and real estate long before there were any income taxes to pay.  He and his second wife Arabella (he was a widower) were both avid collectors of European and American art and statuary, primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries.  They also loved gardens and created over many years much of what you see when you visit The Huntington.  In 1919, Henry Huntington turned his estate into a “private nonprofit collections-based research and educational institution” (quoting the visitors’ pamphlet) which is now open to the public.

 According to our docent, Henry Huntington originally wanted to begin with a traditional English-style garden.  His gardener, William Hertriech, convinced him that his soil and aspect were all wrong for that type of garden and began instead with a Desert Garden (my personal favorite).  The 120 acres of garden include, in addition, a Japanese Garden, a Chinese Garden, a Jungle Garden, a Palm Garden, a Rose Garden, and an Australian Garden—and this is just a partial list.  The Australian Garden was also a favorite, since I love Eucalyptus in all its forms.  As for the museums, we managed to spend an entire day in only one of them, so a return visit will certainly be part of future plans.

 The gardener, William Hertriech, who worked through the years with the Huntingtons is memorialized with a small stone tablet tucked under some tropical plants in the Jungle Garden.  In time perhaps a more fitting remembrance will be erected to the gardener who directed this marvelous garden along its brilliant path.

 The Huntington:  Don’t miss it if you go toPasadena.