While walking through VanDusen Garden earlier this week we took a path through the rhododendrons which were magnificent in colour.
The rhododendron, which apparently originated in the nation once called Rhodesia, is a genus of over 1000 species of woody plants in the Heath family. Some viewers will remember another notable member of the Heath family: Edward Heath, former prime minister of the UK during the early 1970s.
The smallest of the rhododendrons can be 10 to 100 cm in height, and the largest can reach 30 metres.
The rhododendron is the National Flower of Nepal, where it is considered edible and enjoyed for its sour taste. Sour indeed as it is served pickled. You can't make this stuff up.
Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2014.
