Thirty years ago we planted a baby Rhododendron at our new home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It was a house warming gift from our friends, Terry and Barbara. Barbie did all the work too and she has a magic touch in the garden because our Rhody grew and grew, and her saucer sized flowers stunned all visitors.
Note: I did prune her once and as if in protest there were no flowers for several years.
But she grew and grew and grew some more.
And this year she bloomed again foor the first time in a long time (see photo above)!
But Rhody was suddenly enormous!
She reached the roof of the house and spread out to cover two windows.
That was when Bill said, “She needs to be pruned.” “No,” I cried, “She will not flower again for years.” Then Bill left it to me, but the seeds of doubt were planted.
I literally lost sleep over the decision but finally got enough courage to begin to cut. “Just a little here and there,” I thought.
I think I cut too much.
I am so sad and so sorry.
Do you think I killed Rhody?
I like to think my garden is charmed. Some things actually grow and flourish in spite of harsh sun, drought, flooding rains and winds, all encompassing weeds, and benign neglect.
Virginia Views 