In 2023, we've had the cloudiest, coldest, wettest Jan-May in living memory. Hardly any days of sun this spring. Usually the Kew Rhododenrons are in full bloom by Mid May, but this year they are sparse. Back in the 1970s and 80s they would be much more impressive - thicker and more widepread - than in this video. What happened?
The summer droughts of recent years have been very unfavorable for the Rhododendrons unfortunately. Thankfully there is ongoing work at Kew to renovate areas of the Rhododendron Dell.
goerizal1 Our winter here in London isn’t very cold; in the past few years rarely dropping further than -5.C at the worst and is generally quite mild! The biggest problem we have in the UK is high rainfall in Winter, however, our Rhododendrons cope very well in our climate. I’m sure it’s much colder in Chicago!
@@goerizal1 Perhaps! If its gets below -10.C many of the species will struggle. We can grow a variety of Arisaemas outside in the UK and they do quite well, however, the climate in the south of the UK is much better for them and I've seen a wide variety of species growing well outside!
