What's in a Name?

The "Pretty Red One"

In the Pacific Northwest, rhododendrons are a plant family that inspires collectors.  These beautiful shrubs come in many sizes and colors, and are perfectly suited to our climate.  I've been to several rhododendron gardens and I am always amazed at the diversity of this plant family. Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island has a beautiful rhododendron garden and many of the plants are still blooming.  It's worth a visit.

Many collectors will have a tag on each plant, noting the variety name and age.  I admire this sort of organization, but I don't follow it in my garden.  If I remember a plant's name it's because for some reason, the name stuck with me.  I remember the names of a few of my rhododendrons simply because they look like their name.  My 'Moonstone' is easy because it's pale yellow color glows in the exact shade of moonlight.  And my bright red 'Vulcan' was too fun of a name not to remember.  The rest of my rhodies have been blessed with my own made-up names, which would bring about a lot of eye-rolling from the serious collector.

This one is called "The one I bought at the special nursery on Day Rd. for $8 when it was just a tiny thing."  It smells heavenly by the way.

This one is called, "The beauty I picked up at Central Market 15 years ago that is twice the size the tag said it would be, and blooms happily with little care from me."

This one is my favorite, though I try not to let the other's hear me say that.  It's name is "The one with the beautiful orange bell flowers that the bees love".   I also love that when the blossoms fall off, they create a bright orange pool on the ground below.

Another photo of "the one I bought at the special nursery on Day Rd....."

And finally, the itty-bitty 'impeditum' rhododendron, who's name I remember but I prefer  the name, "The tiny purplish-blue one"