No idea where you are located, but in much of the northeast this past summer was exceptionally dry, sunny and warm. As a result, I find that all of my own rhododendrons and others I have seen have set a much larger than usual number of flower buds. Among them are quite a few doubles and several triples. If we manage a reasonably moderate winter and avoid late spring freezes, next year's bloom season should be spectacular. If you want to protect this particular set of buds from squirrels, try wrapping with light weight landscape fabric.

I don't post very often and forgot to mention my location - which is Nova Scotia. Yes, we also had an exceptionally dry and hot summer this year which might explain the triple buds. I will definitely try wrapping the buds over winter - thanks for the suggestion.

Part way down this thread is a photo of a cage set up to protect a rhodie's buds from squirrels. I imagine that something like chicken wire painted black would blend in well enough to virtually disappear.

I've been trying to figure out what to wrap around the buds since I don't have any burlap. I was thinking a mesh onion bag, but I'll have a look at the cage set up. Thanks for the suggestion.

I just took a look. I actually have some plastic chicken wire, so I think I'll try that since it's more rigid than an onion bag. I don't want to wrap the whole shrub since it's taller than I am and getting wide, too. Thanks for taking the time to link that thread for me. :)