Rhododendron stenopetalum 'Linearifolium - 11 May 2025

Strange as it may seem the island of Rhodes is named after the Greek word for rose or rhodon. Rhododendrons were perhaps given that name because of a similarity to the colour of roses. But both rhodos and roses share an inability to produce a pure blue flower.

I wrote about that here. The Kaponga Man

 Because now there is a constant surprise of roses blooming in my Kitsilano garden I thought I would give some of my other plants a chance to show off. I now have only two rhododendrons. One is called Rhododendron augustini ‘Marion MacDonnell’ and the second one is strange fellow as he does not look like a rhododendron. It is Rhododenron stenopetalum ‘Linearifolium’.  I scanned it with one of my most unusually variegated hostas, Hosta ‘Snake Eyes’

Alleyne Cook’s very large Rhododendron augustinii ‘Marion McDonnell is past its bloom a week ago. I miss this man and most of the other plantsmen and plantswomen who were experts in that other century. Now when I want to ask a question about my roses or hostas I look at myself in the mirror.

Yesterday I went to Lee Valley Tools to get metal plant labels. Sometime in the beginning of June I will be opening my garden on a weekend for the Vancouver Rose Society. I will make my splendid  cucumber sandwiches accompanied my iced tea from scratch.

Tomorrow Edward The Russian Handyman is coming to replace the rotting slats on my deck.

As I get the garden ready I can sense my Rosemary behind me reminding me of this or that.