In the woods underneath an old oak tree each year I see this wild pink azalea come up in May with its straggly looking leaves. The leaves are long and slender and appear a bit crinkled when unfurling. I wonder if it will bloom more fully than the previous year, but alas all that appears are two flower heads. I have spotted more of this wild azalea in the woods but none of those plants have bloomed as of yet.
It is still really cool to see this wild pink azalea as its predecessors must have participated in bringing us such lovely shrubbery for our front yards and gardens. By the way our azaleas by the house did survive the last blasts of winter, but the leaves on each were bitten by the last frozen nights and some of the greenery will have to be pruned back. One of them does not look like it will bloom.
The Lily-of-the-Valley is blooming nicely now. A few of its stems of little white blossoms have been brought inside so that we can appreciate its wonderful aroma.
The other wild pink that I want to mention is the Pink Lady Slipper. Its blooms are out now, but I think its colors will brighten over the next few days to a deeper shade of pink.
If you are out in the woods looking for this beautiful orchid, set your sights on the two green leaves. The top of the flower might be missed if you are looking down on the lady slipper as the sepals blend in with the forest floor.
Some seasons the orchid will not bloom, yet the plant will still send up its greenery.
