Rhododendron Resources
Caution: Many rhododendrons and azaleas being sold at big-box nurseries and garden centres are unfortunately being mislabeled. This can be very frustrating for buyers, and may reflect badly on the genus as a whole. If possible, purchase plants while they’re in bloom so you know what you’re getting.
Rhodo Questions from Earth; Answers from MARS
Here’s where we answer your toughest rhodo questions! Click here to see our best rhododendron advice.
Rhodo Culture
Growing Rhododendrons from Seed — This is a collection of three articles on growing rhodos from seed and using coir (coconut husk material) as a growing medium. All three articles are reproduced from their original publication with the kind permission of their respective authors.
General Learning
These short educational talks were originally presented by Dr. Glen Jamieson at the Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society monthly meetings. With his kind permission, the transcripts have been made available to the public for personal use only. Please contact us if you wish to use any part of them commercially or for profit. All rights reserved by Dr. Glen Jamieson.
Organization of Rhododendron Species
Lepidotes vs Elepidote Rhododendrons
Rhododendron Structure
Corolla vs Calyx vs Corona
Indumentum and Tomentum
Roots and a Happy Plant
Growing Rhododendrons
The Basis of Life
Fertilizers 1
Fertilizers 2
Planting Rhododendrons
Plant Pigments
Red Leaved Plants
How Plants Tell Time
Plant Movement
Plant Movement 1
Plant Movement 2
Miscellaneous
Sex in the Garden
Sex in the Garden Update
Educational Presentations
Vancouver Island Garden Weeds and Invasive Species
Hardy Small Rhodo Species and Hybrids for BC
Favourite Plants for Pacific Northwest Gardens
House and Garden Arthropods
Local & Worldwide ARS Chapters
Looking for a rhododendron club near you? Vancouver Island, British Columbia is home to five ARS chapters, with two more chapters on the mainland of BC. We hope to see you at one of our local club meetings!
BC chapters (District #1) of the ARS:
Fraser South Rhododendron Society (Langley, BC)
Vancouver Rhododendron Society (Vancouver, BC)
Nanaimo Rhododendron Society (Nanaimo, BC)
Victoria Rhododendron Society (Victoria, BC)
Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society (Duncan, BC)
North Island Rhododendron Society (Comox, BC)
Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society (That’s us, MARS, in Qualicum Beach, BC, central Vancouver Island)
If you’re not in the Vancouver / Vancouver Island area, The American Rhododendron Society (ARS) is the parent society for many associated clubs and societies in Canada, the United States, and overseas. Please visit the American Rhododendron Society website to find an ARS chapter near you.
Nurseries and Growers
The ARS maintains a database of nurseries and growers at https://www.rhododendron.org/nurseryintro.htm
Databases
The ARS Rhododendron Database – Search rhododendron species and hybrids by name, colour, bloom time, hardiness, and many other parameters.
The Rhododendron Database – (An updated version of the original Hirsutum database.) Search by rhododendron name, with the option to filter by species and wild origin or cultivars. You can also limit your search to only results that include photos.
Publications
Rhododendron and Azalea News – Links to the newsletters of The American Rhododendron Society.
Rhododendrons International – An online rhododendron journal not associated with any existing rhododendron organization (but supported by all existing organizations) that presents articles in English on any aspect of rhododendrons that are perceived to be of wide interest to rhododendron enthusiasts world-wide. Edited by MARS’s own Dr. Glen Jamieson.
Humour
Siftings from the Compost Pile – A collection of humorous articles about rhododendron culture by award-winning gardener and photographer David Sellars. With his kind permission, this collection has been made available to the public for personal use only. Please contact us if you wish to use any part of them commercially or for profit. All rights reserved by David Sellars.
Weather or Not – A humorous address presented live by Des Kennedy, accomplished novelist, satirist, and award-winning journalist, at the Fall Into Gardening conference in Parksville, BC on October 23, 2022. With Des’s kind permission, this talk has been made available for personal enjoyment only. Please contact us if you wish to use any part of it commercially or for profit. All rights reserved by Des Kennedy.
Public Rhododendron Gardens
Meerkerk Rhododendron Garden – Whidbey Island, Washington. Take a tour of the gardens, viewing different sections with various species. A scenic page with many photographs, interesting commentary.
Milner Gardens and Woodland – Qualicum Beach, BC. Home of the Greig Rhododendron Species Garden.
Rhododendron Species Foundation – Federal Way, Washington. Dedicated to conservation and education. Includes a plant distribution catalog and list of recommended books for all levels of rhodo growers.