Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons look a bit scary when it gets really cold. The leaves curl up and wilt. Looks like they're dead, or soon will be. But, no. All it takes is a bit of warmth and sun, and they spring back to life. The photo shows the same plant, the same day. First thing in the morning, on a cold February morning, the leaves are curled up tight against the cold. A few hours later, as soon as the sun hits them, the leaves are completely open.

It's an interesting strategy that protects the plant from snow damage. Instead of piling on and flattening the plant, the snow just slides right off. Which, finally, is what the snow around here is doing. For the first time in the fourteen winters I've been here, we've had some snow on the ground for over two months (since a big storm the week before Christmas). This weekend has been wonderfully warm--we've had the windows open all day--so most of the snow is gone. Maybe spring really will come some day soon.