As a Seattle native, I have many childhood associations with rhododendrons - along with lilacs, and flowering cherries, and dogwoods, and so many more.
Returning to Washington in 2006 after ~20 years away (Greece, California, England, Florida) I always wanted to have rhodies of my own eventually. So, when we bought our house last fall I was delighted to see the foliage in our front and back yards. It's been so fun to watch them come out, one by one, in these rich bursts of color.
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THANK YOU! I, too, just love Rhodies! I have one that I planted below my kitchen sink window in 1995 as my sight was steadily deteriorating. On the kitchen side of the house it’s a 2nd story window, about 10’ up. But I’d hoped it would eventually grow to be visible from standing at the sink. Since that time I’ve been blessed with clear vision through the miracle of PROSE devices. And this year the blooms came to the window like a Rhodie Riot. They fill the width of the window at eye level like they’re trying to get in. What a gift I sent myself 31 years ago. I’m grinning just writing this. Ain’t vision grand!