This week, the Rhododendron Gardens at the arboretum are in their full glory, and flowers are lighting up various pockets and corners at the botanical gardens. With the recent rain and warmer temperatures, the gardens are looking lush and green with new spring growth. What will you discover this week? 

Holden Arboretum 

The spotlight is still on azaleas, but the rosebay rhododendrons are coming into bloom as well. On the loop from the Discovery Garden through the Layer Rhododendron Garden and ending at Beech Knoll you can see it all: towering, decades-old specimens, groups of ornamental azaleas packed with brightly colored flowers, and wild-collected rhododendron species from around the world. 

Besides Rhododendrons, there are plenty of herbaceous plants to see too: phlox, golden ragwort, bluestar and irises are just some of the highlights this week.  

Cleveland Botanical Garden 

The Japanese Garden is still looking fantastic with Rhododendron ‘Helen Curtis’, a semi-double white-flowered azalea, hitting its peak. The purple-flowered rosebay rhododendron at the corner of the pergola is also coming into bloom, perfectly framing the view into the garden.  

In the Inspiration Gardens, bigroot geranium and coral honeysuckle are kicking off the flowering season for the Butterfly Garden. And believe it or not, we have our first roses coming into bloom! Rosa ‘Frau Dagmar Hartopp’, a rugosa rose that has been in the Rose Garden for over two decades, is opening its fragrant flowers. Make sure to check out the historic rose section of the Western Reserve Herb Society Garden for more old fragrant roses coming into bloom.  

Stop by this weekend—there are plenty more May bloomers to discover!