A: I’ve heard this from folks observing hydrangeas and gardenias too, all in bloom this last month! Granted, multiple blooms throughout the year are characteristic of some varieties, like Encore Azaleas and Endless Summer Hydrangeas. But in the case of the rhododendrons, blooms appearing now are growing from buds on twigs that started growing this past spring. There was enough time to mature through the summer to bloom now. But these flowers won’t be long lived given the recent freeze.

And this note from Walter Reeves, the Georgia Gardener:

“Remember what happened last Christmas? The severe cold froze all of your 2022 hydrangea twigs, leaving you with lots of healthy green foliage, which sprouted from the lower, unfrozen part of the plant. Those leafy, green branches sprouted small twigs, and the twigs grew flower buds at their tips. And the flower buds had enough time to mature... Voila , you have unexpected blooms in October! Barring severe cold this winter, shrubs will bloom normally next year.”

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