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Rhodora

(Rhododendron canadense)

 Rhodora can be observed flowering in late May to early June.

They grow in swampy areas, in wood clearings and can often be seen near highways at the edge of woodland.

Look out for them when you are on your way to work!

 

The Rhodora flower buds are light purple.

The leaf buds below are smaller and green

The flowers open before the leaves.

 

This Rhodora is in full bloom.

The bush is less than a metre high.

Notice how the grey branches are tangled and twisted.

 

The Rhodora flower.

The flowers usually occur in clusters of two or three.

The leaves, which appear after the flowers have been lost.

Look out for the distinctive, orange/brown seed cases from the previous year.

These can help you to identify a plant before it blooms.

 

    Choosing your plant

  • •Select a Rhodora bush in an area that you visit regularly.
  • •Base all of your observations based on that one bush.
  • •Tag your chosen bush using a ribbon or other marker

    What to record

  • •Record when the first flowers are observed in bloom (in three different places on the bush)
  • •Make a note of when 50% of the flowers are in bloom.
  • •Finally record when nearly all of the flowers are blooming.

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