It is Rhododendron time here in the hills. Mine were at there peak the first of the week.
I know… I show them to you every year but I love these big beauties which have been around for so many years now.
The lavender one reaches to the roof of my two story home and is over forty years old. The red one is about thirty year.
I wish their big, beautiful blooms would last all summer but the petals are starting to fall fast.
This has been a crazy week here in the hills as the weather in Ohio goes. Lows in the lower 40’s well after are frost dead line for here.
I am hoping this will be the last cold spell here and it will warm up to at least normal.
I have to mention one thing…. in my absence from blogging this winter only to check on a few of you from time to time. It was such a great shock to learn that one of my blogging friends had passed away. I had written her when she was just starting to be sick and because of things here happening had not talked to her for a couple of months. Many of you were also friends with our dear Balisha, or Pat. It broke my heart to hear of her passing and I felt like I had let her down by not being there to encourage her and going through it with her. For that I am so sorry. She was such a talented and loving woman. 
Cancer is such a terrible disease that can take us fast or take one slowly. I know she is safe now in the arms of Jesus and is in a much better place than a lot of us. My heartfelt condolences to her family and to her blogging friends.
I want you all to know that I appreciate you for reading my blog through the years and for sharing your gardens and your lives with me.
Everyone have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend.
And
Happy Gardening,
Lon
12 comments:
Never tire of looking at your beautiful Rhododendrons.
Post more we miss you. Have a good week-end.
Lona dear don't feel badly .. Pat would not want you to ! .. I am so sorry about her passing .. I had no idea either .. and I have been very neglectful in reading and leaving comments on my friends blogs such as you ! .. I have been so busy in the garden or so darn exhausted I just couldn't sit here.
We all have that thread connecting us though and I think we all understand what happens and it is not truly neglectful .. I think you know what I mean.
You Rhodos are simply stunning girl !
I have some that old is a gift : )
I am terrible with these plants .. I have one Mandarin Lights azalea which is sticking with me but lost a little violet coloured one ths Spring ..even my cotonus are looking terrible .. it was a weird winter and a weirder Spring now eh ?
Hope you have a great weekend .. long weekend for you American right ?
Enjoy it girl !! : )
Joy
Hello from Poland :)
They are beautiful and big. Your garden is beautiful for sure. Yours :)
Rhododendron and azaleas are so gorgeous in bloom! Such showy flowers! That is one impressive purple rhododendron plant! So sorry to hear about your blogging friend. Even though she is in a better place, I know it is hard for the ones she left behind.
I am so impressed with that Rhododendron meandering up your house. I have to confess, I've never been very fond of the plant...until I see one that seems to have conquered the world!
Dittos for our brave men in uniform, lest we forget all they have done for us!
Wow! Your rhododendrons are beautiful!!!
Yes, Balisha is with Jesus and all is well with her. We will see and know her one day. She was a lovely encourager to so many.
Love, hugs and prayers dear Lona ~ FlowerLady
Those are stunning!!!!!
Thanks to all who serve this country.
Have a good weekend.
Wow, wow, wow about those rhodies! I planted three 1-gallon sized pink rhodies a couple of years ago, and they are now about 2.5 feet tall. Nothing like 40 feet! What a glorious celebration they make for you each spring.
I've seen Pat leave for oversea's looking exactly like this young man. Lugging his gear, combat boots spit shined, ready for duty. I would see him through eyes streaming tears and thinking I could not live without him, that this was not really happening to me, that I could not stand the pain of being away from him. Then I remembered what he was facing, and I smiled as he looked back at me..and turned and kept walking...like a soldier. My Marine. I miss him terribly! I will until I die. He was on the front lines and God blessed me and our babies by letting him return to us.
About Balisha. I did the same thing. I have the same regrets as you. You are not alone. I had written her, knowing she was ill and, I guess, pretending that she was going to get better and be out there tending her garden out at the edge of the woods. Poor dear Joe! My heart goes out to him. I have lost two beloved mates..and it is a terrible thing to go through. For years after I lost Pat to cancer, I just could not function..but time heals...at least in part. It's been 17 years and I'm still going through it. Balisha (Pat) was one of the dearest people I ever met. I remember when she first began blogging and was having difficulty. I featured her on my blog and she was so grateful. It was ME that was grateful for her friendship. And then I missed visiting her for a bit..and she was gone!
You are not alone. I also have regrets.
Big hugs,
Mona
P.S. your flowers are just beautiful. The colors amazing and we NEVER get tired of looking at them. Never. :) I wish I could grow flowers like that!
Oh, Lona, I'm so sorry of the lost of your blogging friend! We all are reading and writing our posts feel like we're the family knowing about our troubles and joys.
Love your rhododendrons, they are so 'old' bushes. Mine are 'young' -5-8 years old and till now are in buds , not blooming. The weather is still cool, they need more warmth.
Happy weekend!
Of course you post them every year, that's what we do! How many times have you seen my sedum Angelina or the Queen Red Lime zinnias? Those rhododendrons are amazing, especially because they don't even grown down here just an hour north. Just plain gorgeous!
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