Sunday, October 19, 2008

The Azaleas are in Bloom

One of the things I love about camellias and azaleas are that their bloom periods are when roses are winding down and going into dormancy. In Southern California we have to force our roses into dormancy or they would bloom all year round and lack vigor.We typically cut them back in August and then hard in January. Climbing roses are lightly pruned and all of the leaves are removed in January. It is at this time that the camellias and azaleas are putting on their show in the shade gardens and they certainly take up the slack left by the sleeping roses.

The white azaleas are the first to bloom in SJC and as you can see in this photo, they nestle into Buddha's cradled hands just like the roses did all spring and summer.

1 comment:

CanadianGardenJoy said...

That is a perfect picture : )
I have a meditation Buddha in my little shade area and when leaves or foliage fall into that position I have to leave it there because it seems perfect.
It is odd to hear of blooming flowers now that we are truly winding down and getting ready for snow .. BIG sigh !