Since my last blog in March of 2009, a great deal has taken place within the fenced-in confines of the 24-acre Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. If you are a member of our organization, you have some idea of what has been happening (and thus why it has taken me more than two years to get back to this blog). If you are not, well, it has been a wild ride (quick ten second summation: I am now Executive Director as well as Curator; we have a completely new staff other than Nursery Manager, Dennis Bottemiller (wow, was thatan experience!); two amazing trips to China with several new species introductions; the largest expansion and re-planting of the garden since it was first moved on site combined with major tree thinning and canopy lifting for a whole new look in the garden itself; and the construction and completion of our Crown Jewel – the Rutherford Conservatory).
However, we are not going to dwell on these issues, rather, we will move forward and embrace the stability. And yes, I am still quite sane (relatively speaking).
The unusually cool summer of 2010 combined with the unusually early and harsh cold temps in mid-November resulted in the fewest Rhododendron flowers that I have ever seen at the RSBG. This was especially surprising considering the vastly increased light available to most plants due to our ongoing tree-thinning program. Today for example, I noted our three old specimens of Rhododendron auriculatum, representing a fine example of one of the few remaining “original” plantings dating back to the late 1970’s, beginning to show some decent color. In years past, these have flowered reliably each year in late July or early August, but, like so many rhododendrons this year, they are bearing only a scattered few of their pure white, fragrant flowers. One hopes that the season’s “rest” all of the plants in the garden have had this year (due to not flowering or having to set seed) will offset our now second year in a row of unusually cold and wet weather through the entire early summer (dependable warm and sunny weather did not set in here until just a few days ago). One good sign is that I noticed quite a few flower buds on our grove of around two dozen specimens of R. huianum which are now 16 years old (one miserable truss this past spring following a very decent showing of “first flowers” the year before). We’ll see what the weather brings us as we proceed through the year.
I am looking forward to an evening “Under the Tuscan Moon” with old friends and hopefully meeting many of you for the first time on Friday, August 12th as we enjoy our annual “Evening in the Garden” banquet and celebration. This year, we are thrilled to hold our member get-together on the new Terrace of the Rutherford Conservatory. The great food, wine, beer, and the company of friends combined with a full moon should make for a great evening. I will have some special plants and books available for auction (after the wine of course). Hope to see you there!