PLANTS THAT I LOVE
This is one of the thousands of rhododendrons in the garden of Jim Browning who passed away two years ago.
His three-acre garden is filled with rhododendrons, azaleas and many other plants.
Rhododendron varieties abound
When Pittsburgh radio personality Shelley Duffy mentioned that
she was going out to buy a rhododendron shrub to replace one that
didn’t make it, I begged her to wait.
I didn’t want her to settle for some mundane, cookie-cutter variety
sold at box stores. Knowing that I’d be driving by a small specialty
nursery called Gala Rhododendron in Valencia, there would be
something better for her landscape, a memorable plant.
The garden center had a wide variety of rhododendrons, and I
found one that I thought she would love.
The names don’t really matter, finding something you love does.
This is a good time to scout around garden centers and specialty
nurseries, such as Gala, to experience the colors of the flowers and
the look of the plant.
I like to plant them in September, but right now I can see what the
blooms will look like. Spring planting will work, but be sure to keep
the plant watered if rain is scarce.
Last year, I had the pleasure of exploring the gardens of the late Jim
Browning. The story is up at Everybody Gardens. His wife, Blanche, Cut rhododendrons make beautiful
centerpieces for your table.
CONTINUED ON · PAGE 7
6 | MAY 2018 • Vo l . 3 , I s s u e 5