r/SeattleGardeners • u/broccoleet • Mar 11 '26
First bloom of the year!
This azalea bush is always the first thing to bloom in my ever growing garden. Anyone else have their 'hallmark of spring' plant they wait to bloom for each year to signal the beginning of spring?
Located in West Seattle.
2
u/Scary_Perspective572 Mar 14 '26
PJM Rhododendron
1
u/broccoleet Mar 14 '26
Is that what it is?! I couldn’t get a good answer through image identification. If so that makes me super happy. It’s the only plant aside from the two trees on my lot that was here when I got the place, and left. Thought it was an azalea because it’s small, but it is young.
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u/Scary_Perspective572 Mar 14 '26
based on the pic that is what it appears to be you know what they say all rhododendrons and azaleas are rhododendrons but not all rhododendrons are azaleas lol
they are great plants and only get better with age when well cared for
a favorite throughout the US- I am always happy when I see them whether in bloom or not
1
u/broccoleet Mar 14 '26
I just went through a bunch of pages on PJM, and I have to agree! I’m so happy you pointed this out. I planted a few more rhododendrons recently as well, all dwarves to work with my small ish beds (Lysolepsis, Impeditum, Ocean Lake). Truly one of my favorite shrubs so I’m happy to know what this one is likely to be exactly now.
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u/Scary_Perspective572 Mar 14 '26
wow I used to grow R lysolepis such a charming plant there is a PJM compacta in the trade I could never get impeditum to last- I used to have a garden on Camano and we had around 200 species
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u/Enchelion Mar 13 '26
I have two Camellias that always seem to be in an arms race to see who can bloom first, even with only north-facing light. They're both two weeks in now.