Bowen's beautiful trees
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Updated: June 04, 2009 4:09 PM
When Muriel McMillan moved to Bowen Island 25 years ago she bought a pretty pink rhododendron to plant at the top of the driveway to her new home at 1395 Eaglecliff Road. Rhododendron expert Sue Klapwijk, having only e-mail pictures to work from, says that it is probably Cynthia based on its imposing size and bloom time. Being a low maintenance plant, Ms. McMillan may toss it a handful of fertilizer and run a bucket of water to it in a particularly dry summer.
The American Rhododendron Society has a huge user friendly website dedicated to rhododendrons and azaleas. In the plant data section there is an extensive list of species and varieties indicating their bloom time, height in 10 years, hardiness, predominant flower colour and frequently includes a picture of the flowers. The plant care section recommends never planting a rhododendron too deep as it is the most common reason for their early demise. Permanent mulching with a coarse organic material helps retain water for its fine shallow roots and deters weeds. They like an acidic soil with a high organic content that drains well. It is especially important for their establishment to keep them watered the first year after planting.
If there is a tree of note you wish to share with your fellow islanders, please contact bowentrees@telus.net or twitter@bowentrees.
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