Did you know?

The rhodedendron bush or shrub is one of nature's thermometers. Being an evergreen (which means it retains it's green leaves or needles throughout the year) the plant protects its leaves by curling into tight needles as the temperature drops. As temperatures rise the leaves relax their tightness and open up at about 32 degrees. By observing the leaves/needles of the rhodedendron and azalea plants you can get a good idea of temperature. The further below freezing the temperature gets the tighter the curl until at about zero degrees they are like needles. Below you will see some examples of different looks at the plants between 10 and 32 degrees. Can you tell what the temperature is by your shrubs.