Rhododendron sinofalconeri

An unexpectedly bright and breezy day, but cold with occasional very loud and fierce hailstorms. I've had a very pleasant day pottering and pootling and catching up with myself after a busy week. Garlic and onions planted; rainbow chard, sprouting broccoli and spinach sown. The garden almost feels slightly under control and everything is starting to bloom including this rather exotic and early rhododendron - Rhododendron sinofalconeri. The blossoms come out and are then usually whacked by the frost. The other odd thing about this plant is that it has very large waxy leaves, furry underneath, and every year after flowering it drops ever single one. And it can grow enormous. Flies like it too.

And it's International Day of Happiness (thank you Frieda) so there we are :)