Rhododendron sinogrande

What a difference a day makes. I finally understand how these "little" leaf buds turn into huge leaves (the last set was 12-15" long, they can get up to 36" or so). They're a bit chewed on the edges, I'll have to pay closer attention to critters next spring.

 From one day...to the next

Evil brethren

Oplopanax horridus in background

These are my evil twins, Malevolence (foreground) and Horridus (background). Both are very spiky and consigned to the back corner of the devil garden, perhaps I will name that corner the 9th circle of hell. I'm hoping that sun-loving Malevolence will grow big enough to provide some shade to Horridus, who is struggling with more direct afternoon sun than I expected in that corner. The purple spines on Malevolence are quite striking! I hope I don't regret this...

Solanum atropurpureum 'Malevolence' (aka "Purple Devil")