Thursday, October 1, 2026
This week Jill Severn and I are trading places. I’m writing a gardening column today, and she has written a Thurston's Birds column.
Jill came up with this idea because last weekend we went on a boat tour to see tufted puffins and she wanted to write about them. I told her that the rhododendrons in my yard talk to me and she thought her garden column readers might be interested in what they (and I) have to say.
Ideally, a rhododendron column should be written in the spring when these beautiful plants are in full bloom. Our warm and moist maritime habitat is ideal for them, as a late spring walk around almost any local neighborhood will yield close views many beautiful rhodie blooms. That ‘s why a gardening column about rhododendrons this time of year is uncommon — it’s those showy blooms that demand a writer’s attention after all.
Beginning in the early 1960’s, Art and Peggy Zabel built a beautiful rhododendron and azalea park behind their home along Bethel Street and invited folks to visit. They inspired many, including me, to start our own rhododendron gardens. Zabel Park is now owned by the City of Olympia and is still open for public visits, but you’re on your own for parking.
Rhododendrons.
George Walter | For The JOLT News
There was a time that I was very enamored with rhododendrons, but once I planted them I soon took them for granted and left them to fend for themselves. Those many plants I purchased are, for the most part, still surviving on my property despite the neglect and many mistakes. No one would mistake my place for a rhododendron park. Most of my rhododendroms have some weak branches that have flopped over.
A rhododendron with a butterfly.
George Walter | For The JOLT News
My major mistake was made just after purchase — I planted them in a location that was too shady. Of course, it took many years to realize this error and by then my gardening interests had moved on. My one piece of advice is, when you decide to invest in a rhododendron (and, at today’s prices they are investments), be sure to plant it in a location where it gets the amount of sunshine the variety you are planting needs. Not less, and not more. Read the label.
Once in a while, I think of propagating new plants from these flopped over branches. Maybe someday I will, or not. They may not be in peak condition, but we’ve been together and accepted each other as we are for a long time now.
We know each other well enough to talk frankly. They speak RSL (Rhododendron Sign Language), and it’s especially important to learn it, and respond appropriately during August and September.
Just the other day I used my camera to document one of my rhododendrons using RSL. Here is my photo. What the plant is saying is, “I’m thirsty.”
Just a day later I revisited the same plant and photographed it again. This time it’s saying, again in RSL, “Thank you.”
George Walter is environmental program manager at the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s natural resources department: he also has a 45+ year interest in bird watching. He may be reached at george@theJOLTnews.com.
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Callie
Another way Rhododendrons talk - the leaves curl up when it's cold. Try your search engine for thermonasty - it helps the plant conserve water, deal with freezing temperatures.
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