April Flowers!

[vanislander]

After a long, wet, grey winter, it was lovely to see buds on plants, opening during this month. My husband's hobby is rhododendrons, and we certainly have a lot of them. They do well in our woodland garden and some can tolerate the sun on our oceanside too.

Here are some of the flowers, from beginning of April to the end.

April 1 - A large bud on one of our species rhododendrons that has never flowered - I believe it is called r. macabeanum.


April 1 - many buds on a hybrid rhododendron


April 4 - r. macabeanum bud opening a bit more


April 7 - almost fully open. It is a huge 'truss' of flowers.


Apr 7 - pale pink hybrid rhododendron opening now


Apr 9 - all of the following photos were taken on this date

Pale pink hybrid rhodo, visited by a bee


Newly purchased cream/yellow rhodo, still in pot


"President Roosevelt" hybrid rhodo; the bud is showing colour - and the variegated foliage stands out in the darker area, under trees.


Pink Camellias




Cream Camellia


Flowering Currant (Ribes) -Rufous Hummingbirds love it as it an early flowering shrub, available when they arrive from Central America.


Rosemary - we have lots of these, forming a 'hedge'. Hummingbirds love these too.



.../More to follow

[vanislander]

It is April 11, nearing the middle of the month, and lots more flowers are opening!

r. macabeanum is now fully open. In fact, even now, at time of this post, it is still in flower, although looking a bit sad now.


Lovely lavender/blue rhodo


One of the several pink rhodos


And another species rhodo that has not flowered before - it has tiny leaves.


Apr 14 was when the following photos were taken:







This one is a favourite of mine!

[KimmyRoo]

Wow they are so beautiful .... that rhodo that hasnt flowered before reminds me of one at Australia Zoo

[vanislander]

April 24

Azalea bed (mostly)


Pansies (and dandelions) growing in cracks of patio


Rhododendron "Christmas Cheer" almost always shows us its blooms at Easter!




Wallflowers, bluebells (and garden hose




Yet another view of a pink rhodo


Pear tree (will hopefully provide some fruit this summer)


April 27:
One of my favourite blue species rhodos - it's the first thing I see when I look outside these mornings!






Wallflower wall!

[vanislander]

I'll end the month with some photos of a hummingbird, visiting our wallflowers, taken on April 26. It was actually taken through the window, so I am surprised the colours came out as well as they have.

You have to look closely to see the hummer!










The hummingbirds are not attracted to the rhododendrons - obviously not nectar providers.

[RB2sMom]

Wow, great pics Van.....love the hummer ones. You don't have to go to a Botanical Garden...you have one right at your house!