The Azaleas Are In Bloom in Oregon!

Oregon is a great place if happen to be a blooming plant, especially a rose or an  azalea.  The main city of the state, Portland, is called "The Rose City' and has a major annual parade to rival that of Pasadena's world famous New Years Day event.  And we even have a town here in the southern part of the state called Azalea!    There is a nice combination of rain and sunshine this time of year that makes everything grow, and this is time of year when for a few weeks when the azalea blooms   are magnificent.  Here are some examples.

This is just along the walkway to the front door. More on the flowers from the invaluable Wikipedia: Azaleas (pron.: /əˈzeɪliə/) are flowering shrubs comprising two of the eight subgenera of the genus Rhododendron, Tsutsuji(evergreen) and Pentanthera (deciduous). Azaleas bloom in spring in the Northern hemisphere and in winter in the Southern hemisphere, their flowers often lasting several weeks. Shade tolerant, they prefer living near or under trees.

A blooming azalea. It won't be out long but it's glorious while it lasts.

  Another variety, planted just in front of the curb.

  

One more bloom. This one is a favorite of the bumble bees, who were too shy to come out when I came out with the  camera to buzz about.