RSBG Newsletter Vol 49 Num 1 2024 Spring
Species Profile: Rhododendron nakaharae
Download pdf: Species-Profile-R.-nakaharae-by -Adam-Duell By Adam Duell This plant is available for purchase in the Spring 2023 Catalog. Rhododendron nakaharae is a very compact creeping evergreen azalea. With a typical maximum height of around 1 foot it is most suitable as a ground cover, rock garden, or container plant. Its small size also […]
Growing Adiantum aleuticum var. subpumilum from spores
If you’ve been to our alpine garden, you have probably noticed the most fantastic (possibly the best you have ever seen) display of Adiantum aleuticum var. subpumilum. This plant is basically a dwarf version of our Western Maidenhair fern, Adiantum aleuticum, but only reaching 6 to 8 inches in height. Due to its compactness, it […]
Dr. Susan Elizabeth Gardiner Davies – FRSNZ, FISHS
I was brought up on our family farm ‘Woodchester’, near Waiau, in the South Island of New Zealand, where I was introduced to rhododendrons by my mother, June Gardiner. Early education was supervised at home by Mum via the Correspondence school, and then it was off boarding school in Christchurch, and finally to University. I […]
Growing Plant Literacy – A Guest Blog by a Non-Plant Person
by Britt Board Hi, my name is Britt and I’m not a plant expert. I am but a lowly plant appreciator and part of the administrative team at the RSBG. Since I started in 2018, I’ve been fixing my coworkers with confused stares and asking lots of questions to help me better understand the […]
Rhododendron dauricum
by Will Clausen In cold midwinter when little else is astir and most of the plants in the garden are in survival mode, one species of rhododendron is ready to burst into a cloud of pink. Rhododendron dauricum is a semi-evergreen thicket-forming shrub native to northeast Asia from Mongolia and northern China east into Siberia, Korea, […]
Growing Himalayan Blue Poppies in the Pacific Northwest
by Atsuko Gibson I think we all remember when we saw a Himalayan Blue Poppy for the first time. For me, it was in Scotland, where I spent 3 months for my horticultural internship in 2008. Since then, I have been drawn to the clear sky-blue flowers every time I have seen them, just like you. Upon my return from the internship, […]
Glendoick Bird Series of Dwarf Hybrid Rhododendrons
by Atsuko Gibson Over the years, I seem to get an increasing number of inquiries for small growing rhododendrons. When I get these questions, I have certain rhododendrons in mind to recommend, depending on the availability in our nursery. R. keiskei ‘Yaku Fairy’ and many of the alpine rhododendrons are my usual recommendation, but for […]
North American Pitcher Plants and Making a Bog Garden
by Jillian Demus Sarracenia species, or North American pitcher plants, is a favorite genus of mine – stemming from my love of the harsh and rugged peatland ecosystems. To begin with, a peatland is an accumulation of organic matter due to incomplete decomposition. Like all wetlands, peatlands recycle nutrients, trap eroding soil, filter out polluting […]
Species Profile: Podophyllum peltatum – “Mayapple”
By Will Clausen, Gardener at the RSBG Pushing through the layer of accumulated forest duff, leaves folded into pleated spirals with fine hair fringing their margins, the emerging mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is a reassuring sign of spring. Growth progresses quickly as temperatures warm and days lengthen. The leaves unfurl and expand, gathering steam and becoming […]
Rhodora (Rhododendron canadense)
by Jillian Demus Rhodora is native to Pennsylvania and New Jersey northward to Ontario, Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes. The name comes from the old genus name, Rhodora, when it was thought to be in its own genus due to the odd, tubeless flowers. In the wild, this azalea blooms in early-late May and mid-June […]
“It pays to be patient when dealing with some plants”
A project I started well over 20 years ago has come into fabulous floral fruition this spring with the Magnolia Grove here at the RSBG in glorious full bloom for the first time. A combination of several factors has led to this grand display including, most importantly, the necessary length of time having passed […]
COVID-19
Update – 2/2/2022 The Visitor Center and Rutherford Conservatory are open ! We are only accepting credit cards at this time, and we ask that you practice social distancing while exploring the garden. The RSBG is bringing back your favorite annual programs with modifications to ensure visitor safety. See the Events menu to read updates […]
Plant Nerd Night – Lecture
Rhododendron Species, Vol 14, 2019
2019 ARTICLES INCLUDE: Article list is coming!
Rhododendron Species, Vol 13, 2018
2018 ARTICLES INCLUDE: Article list is coming!