Rhododendrons

 It's the time of year when the rhododendrons are blooming everywhere. As I drive around it seems nearly every yard has at least one of these hardy, colorful shrubs.

 Mine were planted years ago when we first moved into our house. I chose them mostly to hide the foundation, but later added more to 'naturalize' the area where yard meets forest.

 I paid a couple dollars a piece at a Mother's Day sale. Each shrub was one gallon in size. I bought a car load. Some lived, some didn't.

Those that survived grace my yard with blooming globes of color each spring.