We really are pretty lucky around this area. There are many spots that are perfect for a nice evening, or anytime, walk. Beautiful spots that are pretty common places for us, but others may not have access to. You probably know a few places yourself.
Last evening, we went for a walk in Pine Grove Park in Milton. I usually try to get there this time of year. Not that I don’t go at other times of the year, because I do. But this time I must go. Simply for the rhododendrons.
I will admit to being a rhododendron freak. I like them. Nice big green bushes and, at this time of year, many will have gorgeous flowers on them. Not the kind of flowers that are hard to grow or get upset with the least little change to their environment. They are relatively carefree types of plants that produce some spectacular results. My type of gardening. Put them in the ground, maybe sprinkle a bit of fertilizer on them now and again, otherwise, just let them do their thing. I like them, and I have quite a few. But no where near what lives in the park.
Many years ago, people undertook planting rhododendrons throughout Pine Grove Park. They apparently are fans of acidic soil, which we have in great abundance around this area. In particular, under pine trees. So these were planted and have been just growing on their own ever since. And some of them are pretty large. As a rough guess, I’d say some of the bushes in the park would be twenty-five feet tall or more. It makes for quite the sight, as you come around a corner on one of the many trails and see huge walls of flowers in front of you.
They won’t last forever. So if you want to see them, go quick. And I think they are well worth seeing.
There are also other things to see in the park. I have been looking for lady slippers for a couple weeks now and haven’t been able to find any in the usual spots. But there were a few scattered around under the pines. Another thing to be checked off my list for the year.
There are a few other places that are nice for a stroll, as well. Like the sculpture gardens at Concrete Creations behind Cosby’s Garden Center outside Liverpool. It’s fun to see what might be hiding through that area as well. Although, unlike Pine Grove, which has a time limit on flowering rhododendrons, large concrete statues don’t have a blooming season, so you can go there pretty much any time.
But there are lots of places to go around this area. Those are a couple of my favourites. I know you must have yours.
