When early azaleas are blooming, opulent rhododendrons can't be far behind at Cornell Plantations. Sumptuous reds and pinks of dozens of varieties of "rhodies" are about to blanket Comstock Knoll, the wooded hilltop near the Plantations headquarters building on the Cornell University campus.

"The best time to visit to catch the peak bloom is around the end of May," says horticultural curator Mary Hirshfeld. "Plan to visit soon to see the collection at its finest."

Tucked in among the rhododendrons are the sky blue flowers of lungwort, the golden yellow of fairy bells, the delicate white of Solomon's seal and the rich golds and greens of unfurling hosta leaves and fern fronds.

Like other Plantations collections, the Knoll area is open, free of charge, to the public during daylight hours. For more information, call (607) 255-3020 or visit the Cornell Plantations website at http://www.plantations.cornell.edu.