Rhododendron time

Mai is the month of the Rhodis, as they say here. They are blooming all over town in an unbelievable  variety of colors. The one in the picture is our first bloomer, starts mostly already in April and is in full bloom now. What you see in the picture is as big as two of my hands held together. The white ones start next and before they open, the buds have a very delicate pink color. The bright red ones are the last to bloom, at least in our garden. But there are areas in town, where the red varieties are first. Then there are orange ones in all shades and yellows. It is an amazing show....In four weeks there will be a "Rhododendron festival" , where all this beauty will be marketed. There will be a competition for the most beautiful blooms, a Rhody queen and her court will be chosen, there will be a parade and all kinds of fun for kids, including a Ferris wheel.  The town will be bustling with tourists and lots and lots of bikers. All restaurants will be very busy.
During May the wild rhododendrons in the forests will start blooming, mostly in a soft pink color. They are often as high as large trees, but they all have started out as bushes and have many branches, not just one trunk. It will be a time for peaceful walks in the forest away from the crowds.