Here we go again!

Well the rhododendron season is beginning again. We've had Rh. 'Nobleanum' out for a while and a few species that normally flower again in the autumn are hanging on, but Rhododendron dauricum is a genuinely early bloomer - January to March according to Hillier's Manual.

This specimen obviously hasn't read the right books, as it's in full flower already. It's a small to medium sized shrub and comes from the far east - Japan, Korea, North China, Mongolia and East Siberia. Must be like going for a summer holiday here then!