The rhododendron, a plant both rugged and delicate, holds a special place in my family -- we have dozens in our landscaping and a cousin is one of the top hybridizers of these masterpieces of nature, living amid 11 acres of nicely shaded mixed woods at the northern tip of the Jersey Pine Barrens, his forest floor a riot of rhododendrons. But enough of him. This lovely cluster was outside of my front door. I don’t even know its varietal name, but I call it Weeping Beauty.

© 2007 George J. Bancroft Sr.