Treasures of the Pacific Northwest: ARS Annual Convention 2003

The American Rhododendron Society 58th International Convention, Treasures of the Pacific Northwest, will be held May 1-4, 2003, at the WestCoast Hotel in Olympia, Washington.

The convention will feature speakers from the Pacific Northwest, Germany and New Zealand, presenting a variety of topics from entertaining to educational. Speakers will include: Graham Smith, currently director of the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust in New Zealand; Holger Hachmann from Germany; Dr. Gary Ritchie, a retired Senior Scientist from the Weyerhaeuser Company; Dr. Rita Hummel, associate professor of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Washington State University, on cold hardiness and water; Ciscoe Morris, well-known radio and TV personality who recently retired as grounds and landscaping manager of the 53-acre Seattle University campus; and Jim Barlup, a noted Pacific Northwest hybridizer.

Tours of many special gardens are planned. A convention would not be complete without a tour of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, with 10,000 rhododendrons covering 22 acres. We will also offer tours of Lakewold Garden in Tacoma and Whitney Gardens and Nursery on Hood Canal. Convention goers will have an opportunity to tour several private gardens not generally open to the public.

Olympia is located at the southern-most tip of Puget Sound and is a short drive from many of the natural wonders of the Northwest. Convention goers may want to consider extending their stay in the Pacific Northwest and exploring some of the Treasures of the Pacific Northwest.

So mark your calendars and we'll see you in May 2003.