Jul 06 2009
Summer’s Here: Rhododendron
If you’ve never been to Pennsylvania’s mountains in early July, here’s a surprise for you. The Rhododendron is in bloom.
Rhododendron maximum comes from a large family of flowering plants that includes azaleas. There are over 1,000 species and 28,000 cultivars. In early May our cultivated azaleas and rhododendrons bloomed. Now it’s time for the natives to get into the act.
There’s an added bonus when you’re surrounded by beautiful, blooming rhododendrons in the Laurel Highlands. You’re likely to see a bird that loves to nest among them – the black-throated blue warbler.
(photo by Chuck Tague)
