On Gardening:
Dandy Man Color Wheel brings about the Rhododendron happy dance By Norman Winter Dandy Man Color Wheel is bringing out the rhododendron happy dance from the North to the South, and you will want to act quickly to get in on the party. Those of us who treasure azaleas have been green with envy of those in the Appalachian area and northward for their ability to grow rhododendrons. Shoot rhododendrons are even native to North Georgia and create postcardlike beauty in the mountainous scenic parkways and drape over the nation’s best trout streams. What is wrong with us; why did we get left out? Three years ago, The Garden Guy’s eyes were opened to southern possibilities when I discovered the Rhododendron Trail at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Callaway is about 25 miles from my house and has one of the best azalea collections in the country. Of course, azaleas are rhododendrons, botanically speaking. It is the real rho-
RHODODENDRON Continued on page 14
Dandy Man Color Wheel rhododendron starts off with lipstick red buds. Photos courtesy Norman Winter/TNS
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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
Dandy Man Color Wheel rhododendron eventually ages to pristine white before petal fall.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2022
