Royal Rhododendrons

I just discovered that there are beautiful Belgian azalea hybrids named after King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth and King Leopold III and Queen Astrid. Charming!

A Blue Garden

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As Queen Astrid's best friend, Anna Sparre, recalls in her memoirs, Queen Elisabeth of Belgium loved horticulture and kept a special garden featuring a variety of blue flowers. She had a firm belief in the soothing effects of blue. So, in her honor, I present some lovely blue blossoms.

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Anna Sparre remembered that after leaving the garden, everything seemed garish and jarring...so she thought there might be truth in the Queen's theory. What do you think? Are blue flowers relaxing?