The WNARS Project mission is to research and identify all locations of the indigenous Rhododendron species of the western United States and Canada and create a computerized archive of this information. WNARSP endeavors to spread the
WNARSP
Botanical garden in Federal Way worthy of taking a rhody trip to see
Great article in today’s Tacoma News Tribune with a nice emphasis on our Rhody conservation endeavors!
Rhododendron Species, Vol 6, 2011
2011
(No longer available for sale.)
Rhododendrons at the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden by Doug Justice
The First Gardens by Charles Lyte
Some People Associated with VireyaPlant Names, by George Argent
Construction of the Rutherford Conservatory at the RSBG by Dennis Bottemiller[…]
Hardhats and Sandals
“Hardhats and Sandals” – a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser Saturday, August 11, 2012 $30 advance ticket; $35 on-site ticket; $20 designated driver ticket. 4:00 to 7:00 pm We are joining the Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection in welcoming Habitat for Humanity for their annual fund-raising evening. Enjoy wine-tasting courtesy of three Washington state wineries, appetizers […]
Species Profile: R. vernicosum
Rhododendron vernicosum is a member of the popular and widely grown group of related species known as subsection Fortunea (Fortunei Series). This subsection includes such familiar species as sutchuenense, calophytum, orbiculare, decorum, fortunei, oreodoxa, and griffithianum. Although less well known and not as common in gardens as these other deservedly popular species, R. vernicosum can […]
Species Profile: R. triflorum
The majority of the 30 or so rhododendrons introduced by Joseph Hooker from his 1848-1850 expedition to Sikkim have become well known and, at least in species collections, widely grown. Showy and impressive species such as thomsonii, arboreum, niveum, maddenii, edgeworthii, falconeri, hodgsonii, griffithianum, campanulatum, barbatum, and cinnabarinum gained the widespread attention and admiration of […]
Species Profile: R. sulfureum
Of all the brilliantly colored flowers in nature’s vast repertoire, I have a special affinity for those of the yellow persuasion. Now by yellow I mean the deep solid yellow found in many species of Narcissus (daffodils), for example, or the pure yellow of a buttercup. This fondness, in combination with an unreasonable lust for […]
Species Profile: R. strigillosum
One of the classic species in the genus Rhododendron must surely be R. strigillosum. The large deep red flowers in early spring set against the characteristic whorl of dark green leaves with distinctly bristly petioles make this species a must for every collection. Known in its native China as mang ci dujuan (“prickly rhododendron”), this […]
Species Profile: R. maddenii
Subsection Maddenia is a large and widespread group of approximately forty lepidote (scale-bearing) species. Members of this diverse group are found terrestrially or as epiphytes from the eastern Himalaya (Nepal) in the west to southeastern China and adjacent regions of Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand in the east. With a few notable exceptions, species in this […]
Species Profile: R. falconeri
For sheer majesty in the genus Rhododendron, one would be hard-pressed to surpass the big-leafed Himalayan tree R. falconeri. The huge bold leathery leaves up to 14 inches in length are more than matched by the large, rounded inflorescence of white to pale yellow flowers. The stout growth habit and overall massive scale of this […]
Species Profile: R. edgeworthii
Species rhododendrons are grown for their attractive or fragrant flowers, their interesting and even beautiful foliage, or their smooth and glossy peeling bark. Rhododendron edgeworthii is one of the exceptional species in which all of these desirable characteristics come together. This species is the best known and most often grown member of subsection Edgeworthia, a […]
Crosscut: Beauty and diversity at Federal Way Rhododendron Garden
April 13, 2012. With over 10,000 rhododendrons from all over the world, the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden is an exotic adventure waiting to happen. And it’s just a short drive down I-5. [Read the entire article ] by Jackie Hiltz
Himalayan Blue Poppy Care
Download Himalayan Blue Poppy Care Sheet The enchanting Blue Poppy (Meconopsis) creates a spectacular show in the late spring and early summer. Such a rich true blue flower is a rare garden treasure. Blue Poppies have a reputation of being difficult to grow, but these plants can be grown successfully if you follow a few […]
Species Profile: R. dalhousiae
The years 1848-1850 will always stand out in the history of rhododendron cultivation as the beginning of the great era of Sino-Himalayan rhododendron discovery and introduction. Over that short period of time, Joseph D. Hooker, in his thorough exploration of Sikkim and the immediate surrounding areas, managed to introduce into cultivation nearly every rhododendron native […]
Species Profile: R. ciliatum
Of the many outstanding introductions of Rhododendron species made by Joseph Dalton Hooker during his famous expedition to Sikkim and surrounding regions in 1848-1949, Rhododendron ciliatum is perhaps one of the least widely grown “hardy” species in the modern garden. This is unfortunate given that the semi-dwarf habit, attractive foliage, and large funnel-shaped flowers provide […]
Planting Rhodys
Planting: For a rhododendron that is growing in a container, first remove it and check to see if the rootball is dry. If it is, soak in water until thoroughly moist. Plants that are root or pot-bound should be scored. This means to scratch the outer surface of the roots with your fingers or a […]