2027 MARS Annual Rhododendron Show & Sale
Each April, enjoy free admission to the annual MARS Rhododendron Show and Plant Sale! This is your chance to consult expert growers and purchase from a top-quality selection of rhododendrons and azaleas, from iron-clad garden standbys to rare and unusual varieties locally grown by the MARS propagation team.
The sale also features local vendors selling gardening goodies and a variety of plants (not only rhododendrons); and the exhibition showcases the flowers of early to mid-season blooming rhododendron species.
Whether you’re a rhododendron aficionado, a gardener, or simply a fan of flowers, you’ll find lots to enjoy at the MARS Rhododendron Show and Plant Sale.
Rhododendron Society members and the public are invited to show their favourite rhododendron blooms (known as trusses). Please see “How to Exhibit” below.
Details:
Location: Qualicum Beach Curling Centre (next to the Farmer’s Market)
644 Memorial Ave, Qualicum Beach, BC
Date: TBA
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Everyone welcome — tell your friends!
How To Exhibit
Anyone can show blooms in the exhibit, and they don’t have to be perfect — this is a celebration of rhododendrons, not a competition. (No judging, ribbons, or trophies.) Please bring lots of trusses of all kinds from your garden for everyone to view and enjoy!
- Please bring a list of your trusses, clearly printed and in alphabetical
order. Separate lists for species and hybrids, please. - Unknown and unnamed trusses will also be displayed.
- Bottles will be provided for you to display your trusses.
- Drop off your entries on Friday between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM (Sorry, no Saturday drop-offs.)
- You can remove your entries on Saturday after the show.
Tips for Preparing Your Trusses
- A few days before the show, look around your garden to see what can be entered.
- Select blooms at the peak of their development.
- Cut from well-watered plants, during the coolest part of the day.
- Groom your blooms: Remove damaged or dead twigs, leaves, bud scales and flower pips.
- Clean or wash leaves.
- Use suitable containers to retain water during transportation to the show. If you wish, you may use chemical additives to preserve bloom freshness.
Funds raised at the Rhododendron Show & Sale and other MARS events are used to operate the club, to help promote horticultural activities in the area, and to help support local charities. Past recipients of our charitable donations have included Oceanside Hospice Society and Arrowsmith Healthcare Society (Cokely Manor), North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society, The Greig Rhododendron Species Garden at Milner Gardens & Woodland, SOS in Parksville, Salvation Army, and Manna Homeless Society. For a complete list of past or current donation recipients, please contact us.