a mystery

Two rhododendron bushes grow side by side in my front yard

One is completely covered in a mass of showy pink blossoms

The other bush has not

 one. single. bloom.

It's lovely and green, with new growth,

but nary a blossom.

Very, very odd.

Any plant mystery solvers out there?

Speaking of plants and blooming,

it's lupin season

here on the Island.

lupins_07Along every country road,

in ditches, fields and meadows,

masses of purple, pink, mauve and white lupins are blooming.

lupins_08My beloved drove up to the central section of the Island last evening

and saw some gorgeous lupin photo ops.

If the rain holds off, we'll head up that way

and

I'll be back with some scenes of the Island at its loveliest.

Until next time!

with love,

Comments

[ellen b]

Gorgeous. Is that a rainbow I spy? The Lupines are really lovely. I have two rhoddies side by side that are doing the same thing this year. It will be interesting to hear what some experts say... :0)

[Home Again]

Your rhodo's are gorgeous...I missed that season this year.
I love your last shot of the lupins..Absolutely gorgeous.

[Paula]

The lupines are so beautiful. The color is amazing. Your island looks like a bit of heaven on earth.

[Linda]

I cannot solve the mystery and can only say the poor sad one looks like it probably came from my house. I just don't have a green thumb.
The pictures are just magical.

[Carolyn]

Hi Kathie,
I just took some photos of the lupins along the roadside today-they are beautiful. I'm not experienced with rhodo's so I don't know why one didn't bloom.

Take care,
Carolyn

[June]

I love lupines. They also grow here in Idaho as wildflowers. Not as showy as the garden ones, but I do love them. Your photos are so lovely. I am enjoying your beautiful blog.
Smiles,
June

[Sarah]

I love lupins. I have no idea about the rhodedendrons though.

[Sarah]

Sorry - rhododendrons :)

[randi]

Your live in the prettiest place, Kathy! You seem to be surrounded by beauty on all sides!

[nikkipolani]

Sorry, Kathie. What I don't know about rhodies could fill volumes. I could, ahem, make some conjectures. Maybe the nonbloomer is so overwhelmed by the performance of the bloomer that it has given up. A rhodie inferior complex. Or maybe the nonbloomer is really gearing up for a smashing season next year and is reserving its energy, turning its nose up at this season's over-performer. Or the nonbloomer is going for that stream-lined minimalistic approach and has, perhaps discovered that it's not working out too well, but it's too late now (and it's regretting its decision). Or... maybe I'll leave your rhodies alone and keep to my roses :-) Beautiful shots, Kathie.

[Valerie]

We moved into our current house last August and I thought I remembered blooms on the huge rhododendron in front of the house but this summer there were only 3 or 4 blooms. Strange. But the hydrangeas (two huge ones) seems to be making up for their fellow plant!

More research needed as to what the problem might be, obviously.