Pretty in Pink: II
To my loyal blog readers (both of you!) I apologize for the paucity of posts of late, but I figured I needed to concentrate time and efforts on a wee little exit seminar that I gave yesterday.
The Rhododendron mucronulatum are in flower, and in particular an outstanding selection known as 'Cornell Pink' is making waves locally (no surprise, due to its connection to Cornell and Ithaca!). The photograph to the left was taken today in the Mary Rockwell Azalea Garden here on campus. Ironically, the soil pH in this site is rather high (an understatement) and very few azaleas and rhododendrons will grow there happily. Luckily, this Asian species, along with a few others, will tolerate the less-than-acidic conditions. What troopers they are!
Not much for social commentary this evening. Although, interestingly, there is a conversation going on at the table to my left about the Elephant Man. This chap is going on and on about the topic and is apparently doing a great job of impressing his date. She is eating it up as if it was string cheese and she was homesick for Wisconsin. Although, now she is talking about how obsessed she is with Thai food -- and now HE is eating it up. Sounds like a match made in heaven as they both have obsessions that (for now) intrigue the other. I wonder how long it will last? As for their conversation, it doesn't sound like it will fizzle anytime soon (they are talking about crispy pad thai). However, I am fizzling and need to wrap things up and head home.
To my loyal blog readers (both of you!) I apologize for the paucity of posts of late, but I figured I needed to concentrate time and efforts on a wee little exit seminar that I gave yesterday.
The Rhododendron mucronulatum are in flower, and in particular an outstanding selection known as 'Cornell Pink' is making waves locally (no surprise, due to its connection to Cornell and Ithaca!). The photograph to the left was taken today in the Mary Rockwell Azalea Garden here on campus. Ironically, the soil pH in this site is rather high (an understatement) and very few azaleas and rhododendrons will grow there happily. Luckily, this Asian species, along with a few others, will tolerate the less-than-acidic conditions. What troopers they are!
Not much for social commentary this evening. Although, interestingly, there is a conversation going on at the table to my left about the Elephant Man. This chap is going on and on about the topic and is apparently doing a great job of impressing his date. She is eating it up as if it was string cheese and she was homesick for Wisconsin. Although, now she is talking about how obsessed she is with Thai food -- and now HE is eating it up. Sounds like a match made in heaven as they both have obsessions that (for now) intrigue the other. I wonder how long it will last? As for their conversation, it doesn't sound like it will fizzle anytime soon (they are talking about crispy pad thai). However, I am fizzling and need to wrap things up and head home.
posted by guy among the trees at 10:41 PM
3 Comments:
our rhody hasn't bloomed yet, but i think that two of our azaleas didn't survive the winter. i'm not sure why because this winter wasn't so harsh. wierd. should i be wrapping them?
ok, so it's not pink, but more purple, but i do have a question about our lilacs. this year, there are only three buds and last year it was full of blooms. i know that lilacs will bloom only on old wood, but i don't think i did anything unusual in pruning it last season than in previous years. what am i doing wrong?
don't you love how i've turned your comments section into an advice column?? :)
Dear lilacless in Hyde Park:
As for your yet-to-bloom rhodie, it is probably one that will bloom in May, like most in our climate (though there are some that extend later into the summer). I wouldn't worry too much about that one. As for the possibly-toasted azaleas... try a scratch test. Go out and scratch the bark a bit and see if you see any green. Also, these are sans leaves, yes? Just wanted to double check if it was a 'rhody' or an 'azalea'. And how long have they been in the ground? As for what may have killed them, I doubt it was winter injury this year (unless this was their first year and they were not hardy to begin with). I may have to come out to Boston and see for myself, but one thought is overly damp soil or soil with high pH.
As for the lilac, sometimes they will have heavy and less-than-heavy bloom years, and this is often linked to stress from the previous year. Additionally, some old shrubs just need a major haircut to rejuvinate them. I typically do this over a 3-yr period, annually removing 1/3rd of the big woody stems all the way to the ground.
Again, I think I need to see these personally. :-)
TreeDoc
thanks for the tips, doc :)
we do agree that a house call is in order though. what's your fee? we're willing to pay anything ;)
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