ITHACA, N.Y. -- Winter-weary eyes will find relief at Cornell Plantations, where early azaleas are now blooming and opulent rhododendron flower trusses soon will brighten with sumptuous reds and pinks. It's all happening on Comstock Knoll, the wooded hilltop near Plantations headquarters building, according to Plantations Horticultural Director Mary Hirshfeld, who says, "The best time to catch the peak bloom is around the end of May."

Tucked in among the rhododendrons are 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, Comstock Knoll is open, free of charge, to the public during daylight hours. A special free tour of Comstock Knoll and the rhododendron collection will be held Wednesday, June 16, at noon, meeting outside the Garden Gift Shop, rain or shine. Free one-hour drop-in tours featuring seasonal garden highlights at Plantations will be held at noon, meeting outside the Garden Gift Shop rain or shine, on the following dates: June 19, 23, 26, July 3, 7, 14, 17, 24, 28, 31, Aug. 4, 7, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, and Sept. 4. For more information, call (607) 255-7430 or visit the Cornell Plantations Web site at http://www.plantations.cornell.edu .