Budding Purple Rhododendron Flowers

Rhododendron flower buds have their greatest saturation of color prior to actually opening up, after which their purple becomes a softer light violet. Pictured are the waxy green leaves and beautiful flower buds of a Rhododendron plant taken during mid-May in my Grandparents' garden in South Connellsville, PA. The Rhododendron is quite common in the forests throughout the Laurel Highlands with its ever green leaves finding their way into about any picture taken in the outdoors there.