Note from the Author: Eventually we had to talk about the other half of the family.
Emerging shoots for new leaves are pretty strange looking. 
The flower of a Pontic Rhododendron is very nice. 
These small clustered buds will be leaves and branches sometime soon. 
The flower bud is very distinct on a Pontic Rhododendron.
Common Name: Pontic Rhododendron
Other Common Names: Common Rhododendron
Botanical Family: Ericaceae (The Heath Family)
Botanical Latin Name: Rhododendron ponticum baeticum
Description & Habitat:
In our landscape we see a lot of Azaleas but their evergreen bigger leafed relative is often absent because of our climate. Needless to say all from a scientific perspective all azaleas are Rhododendrons but not all rhododendrons are azaleas. With that said Rhododendrons of this type are woody broadleaf evergreens, but can be deciduous in some colder climates. These plants are native to places such as Bulgaria, Lebanon and the Caucasus but are well adapted to our respective climate in zone 8. The genus name comes from the Greek word ‘rhodo’ and ‘dendron’ which mean rose and tree respectively. Physically this shrub is best recognized by its leaves which have a simple margin, are elliptical in shape and its alternate branching. As with a lot of rhododendrons this plant’s buds are also a good identification feature as flower buds are often born singly and are larger than leaf buds. On rhododendrons the flower buds bear several individual flowers whereas leaf buds may appear singly, or in clusters indicating potential branching. On average this type of Rhododendron can get up to 4 feet tall with a 5 foot spread, though if planted in too much shade it can get a bit tall while stretching for light.
In some older publications this plant may be listed as Rhododendron x obtusum.
Special Toxicity Note:
Nothing on this plant is edible because it contains Grayanotoxins.
When & What to Harvest:
This plant is not edible.
Related Plants:
There are numerous species of Azaleas and Rhododendrons available on the market.
Recipe:
Rhododendrons are inedible
Additional Information: (If applicable)
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhododendron-ponticum/
Where to get Seed or Bare Root Plants:
Generally this plant is not grown from seed and Rhododendrons are available in most garden centers or nurseries.
With all that garden goodness covered this is the part of the blog where I have to advertise for the Fayetteville City Market. Now I know you readers probably don’t much like advertisements, but my booth at the City Market helps to cover the costs of running the test garden and literally maintains the Research & Development budget that is used to bring you the information that has made up the backbone of this blog. In addition to being able to process card payments we now take CashApp payments so your payment options for my product have tripled. With that said; if you want to get some GMO-free, Organic fruit, herbs, flowers and perennials, come on down to the Fayetteville City Market on 325 Maxwell Street in downtown Fayetteville between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Even in bad weather the market goes on though you might have to look for me under the ‘arches’ of the Transportation Museum’s front entryway.
Fresh Foods
Fig Leaf Tea, 8oz
Soupkit, Parsnip
Soupkit, Turnip
Carrots
Onions
Turnips
Celery
Red Potatoes
Parsnips
[Coming soon: Apothecary grade Powdered Fig Leaf]
Fall Plants
Brussels Sprouts
Collards
Corn Salad / Mache
Kale, Dinosaur
Kale, Ragged Jack
Kale, Rubybor
Kale, Scotch Blue
Lettuce, Buttercrunch
Sorrel, Raspberry Dressing
Garden Supply
Live Mushroom Compost, 1 Gallon
Live Mushroom Compost, 3 Gallon
How to stay in Contact with Us!
All you need to keep up with all our activities is to have a Nextdoor account and to look for the ‘Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’ group and ask to join! You don’t have to live in Fayetteville to join us! Feel free to ask all your garden questions of our knowledgeable membership and post your cool garden pictures.
Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville
Also please take a gander at the YouTube version of this blog:
The Videos: Look Here
>Newest videos (1): Celriac
With all of the updates, blog posts, community announcements and the main topic handled remember that Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’s meetings are still going on! Our next (unofficial) meeting is October 3rd at the Fayetteville City Market at 325 Franklin Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, or at North South Brewing on the same day between 1:00 and 5:00pm.
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