JARS v37n1 - The ARS National Convention

The ARS National Convention
May 5-8, 1983 Portland, Oregon

Come Back To Where It All Began

Portland, Oregon, the first home of the American Rhododendron Society, beckons you with an all out welcome to attend the ARS National Convention, May 5-8, 1983. Here you can wander through gardens private and public as the warmth of the sun unfolds all the beauties of the season. Stay for three days, surely, and stay much longer to enjoy and explore all the natural wonders this region offers. The beautiful Columbia River Gorge, the wild and wonderful Oregon sea coast and, of course, tempestuous, awe-inspiring Mt. St. Helens are all within easy range of Portland.

We will be celebrating the event at the new Red Lion Inn at Portland's Lloyd Center. Stimulating sessions featuring internationally recognized speakers have been organized to bring you many facets of rhododendron culture, lore and history.

As an added attraction, Portland Chapter members (assisted by members of the Tualatin Valley and Willamette Chapters) will stage an extra-special traditional Mother's Day show at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in a 5 acre park-like setting of lakes, trees and mature rhododendrons. Remember - all ARS members are invited to participate and compete for the many trophies in the various show categories. The Crystal Springs Garden was originally known as the ARS National Test Garden. The garden is on land owned and partly maintained by the City of Portland. Portland Chapter members are responsible for much of the planting, maintenance and landscaping work. This is a showplace for rhododendrons known the World over.

The Lloyd Center location for this occasion offers many attractions. The center has a large covered shopping mall surrounding an ice-skating rink and undercover parking. There are a number of hotels and motels within easy walking distance. Altogether, this setting has much to offer for everyone.

Outstanding tours to explore the Greater Portland area are scheduled. Included in the tours will be Cecil and Molly Smith's garden, the Bovees Nursery and the Berry Botanic Garden (formerly the garden of Mrs. A.C.U. Berry). A trip through the Columbia River Gorge on the Oregon side to the Bridge of the Gods with return on the Washington side stopping at Dave and Betty Goheen's and Frank and Doris Mossman's gardens will be offered on Sunday.

A new feature at this convention is the Arts and Crafts sales. Here you will find unique treasures centered on the theme of rhododendrons and azaleas. Available for purchase will be special items, some only one of a kind, featuring rhododendron wood, stained glass, china painting, oil and water colors, fabrics, stitchery, pottery, calligraphy, stationery, knitting, weaving, photography, books, and bonsai rhododendrons and azaleas. And to be eligible to win an elegant "Rhododendron Quilt", each person attending the convention will need to purchase a convention pin at the registration desk at the time of arrival.

Don't forget the plant sale! Hundreds of rhododendrons and azaleas will tempt you. Many will be rare, unavailable anywhere else.

We invite all of you to visit us and take home memories of this favored rhododendron and azalea region. We are looking forward to welcoming you in Portland in May, 1983!

Program Highlights

A brief sketch of the program is as follows. The opening keynoter on Thursday evening will be Carlton B. Lees, retired vice president of the New York Botanical Garden. Comprising Friday's fare are Keith Wade sharing his visit to Mt. Omei (China); Bruce Keyser, Eastern Native Azaleas; Gwen Bell, The Story of Joseph Rock, Rhododendron Explorer; Clive Justice, Landscaping with Rhododendrons; and Friedrich Wilhelm Dürre from Linswege, West Germany, on Rhododendrons of Linswege — A Mission for Generations.

Saturday will open with Frank Mossman on Western Azaleas followed by Kendall Gambrill on Species Rhododendrons and Edwin Parker on New Registrations. A panel will present a montage of Rhododendrons as related to and accompanying other garden companions: Rhododendrons And...Bulbs and the Rock Garden, David Palmer; Maples, J.T. Vertrees; Companion Plants for Small Rhododendrons, Molly Grothaus; Trees, Shrubs and Fall Color, Joseph Witt.

The Sunday Seminar will meet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include a wide range of subjects encompassing some previously addressed under the "Breeders Roundtable." The expanded format is designed to give a more in depth look at plant breeding and research as it applies to Rhododendrons.

Pre and Postzygomatic Incompatibility and Possible Methods of Overcoming Them by Dr. Keith Wade more simply stated is a look at why some crosses fail and how a person might obtain success.

The Cytoplasmic Factor: Does It Exist and What Is Its Significance in Rhododendron? by Dr. August Kehr is a controversial subject about inheritance which may make the female parent more important than the male for certain types of inheritance.

Little Used Species With Good Potential by Bob Badger and Herb Spady. A discussion of some little used species with exceptional potential for use in hybridization.

Selecting Parents From Hybrid Populations by Harold Greer will take advantage of Harold's experience in hybridizing and may help the novice to make more effective choice of parents.

Some Results of the Seed Exchange by Wm. Teitjen will reveal some recent results of plants grown from the seed exchange.

Rhododendron Research Update moderated by Wilbur Bluhm with participants Dr. Robert Ticknor, Dr. George Ryan, Dr. Robert Linderman, and Dr. Duane Coyier will bring us up-to-date on recent advances in knowledge about culture, disease, botany and other rhododendron research.

ARS 1983 Tours

Look forward to stimulating, colorful Friday and Saturday afternoon tours, designed not only to present rhododendrons and azaleas at the peak of their beauty but also to show you a choice group of special plant collections; from the private collector's woodland garden of Cecil and Molly Smith, to the Rhododendron Species Study Garden of the Bovees Nursery, the formal oriental garden of the Japanese Society of Oregon, Crystal Springs Rhododendron and Azalea Garden, and annual truss show, and, in limited groups, the Berry Botanical Garden.

In a natural-looking woodland garden obviously designed over many years with loving care and attention to detail, Cecil and Molly Smith will share with you their treasures, - choice rhododendron species and hybrids, including many of Cecil's own crosses, inter-planted with beautiful and rare companion plants. A perfect environment for rhododendrons has brought these plants to the peak of development for your pleasure.

The Bovees Nursery, a commercial mail-order establishment, has created a Study Garden of the rhododendron species, planted according to their series, among rare trees and shrubs and in rock garden settings. A large collection of newer rhododendron hybrids forms an ever-changing border of blooms around the nursery. An exotic collection of Vireya (Malaysian) "houseplant" rhododendrons will be a special feature.

One of the most authentic Japanese Gardens outside of Japan, designed by Professor P. Takuma Tono, this haven of tranquil beauty features five traditional gardens all of which include extensive use of rhododendrons and azaleas - the Flat Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, Tea Garden, Natural Garden, and the Sand and Stone Garden - all meandering over five and one-half acres. An authentic Japanese Pavilion opens onto a beautiful vista of Portland and Mt. Hood.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron and Azalea Garden, sponsored by the Portland ARS Chapter and the Portland Park Bureau, is the site of the annual rhododendron truss show. Winding trails, high bridges overlooking a forest of rhododendrons, a bridge to the island where giant rhododendrons cover the paths, and a beautiful lake with flocks of wild birds, all are to be seen in a leisurely tour of the show and the garden.

The Berry Botanical Garden is the culmination of many peoples' efforts to preserve the life work of Rae Berry who participated financially in many of the early explorations in China and the Northeast Frontier Area. Her garden reflects the results of these explorations, with towering species grown from seed sent back by the plant hunters. Her other plant interests are represented by trough gardens, primulas, rock gardens and many other special displays all nestled in a beautiful woodland setting.

Sunday's optional trip takes us up the Columbia River highway, pausing at Multnomah Falls, the second highest in North America, past Bonneville dam, to the Bridge of Gods where we cross over to the Washington side of the river and travel to the country home and Rhododendron garden of Janet and Thomas Binford on the banks of the river. We continue down the Columbia with stops at the gardens of David and Betty Goheen in Camas, Washington, and Frank and Doris Mossman in Vancouver, Washington, before returning to the hotel.