Potomac Valley Chapter
of the
American Rhododendron Society
Newsletters

2024 Newsletters

• Fall 2024
  Picnic Plans, Passing of Wayne Mezitt, Ticks and Mosquitoes, Daffodils, Rhododendron Species
  
• Summer 2024
  Thanking our District Directors, Native Azaleas on Whitetop Mountain, Update on the White Garden, Plants of Interest
  
• Spring 2024
  Annapolis Meeting Recap and Image Gallery. Bronze Medal Awards: Karel Bernady and Richard Bradshaw
  
• Winter 2024
  District Meeting, Bellingham ARS Convention, Rhododendrons of the Year
  

2023 Newsletters

• Fall 2023
  Fall Banquet, "Remembering Pamela Harper" by Jim Dronenburg and Dan Weil -
  
• Summer 2023
  Fall Picnic and Dedication of the Jean Beaudry Memorial at London Town, District Meeting Plans, Thoughts on Pam Harper, Remembering Blossom McBrier, Images from the MAC / PVC Meeting in Shrine Mont and Orkney Springs
  
• Late Spring 2023
  Spring Highlights, Reflections on the Atlanta Convention, R. vaseyi , Proposed Mountain Hikes, May Garden Tours
• Spring 2023
  MAC and PVC Joint Meeting, Atlanta Convention, Gibbs Garden, Ginkgo Tree, Nursery Field Trip, Zoom Meeting on the White Garden
• Winter 2023
  Ralf Bauer Zoom Presentation - The R. minus Complex, Jean Beaudry Memorial, Rhododendrons of the Year, Chris Schmidt - Chief Arborist at the Blandy Experimental Farm, Gotelli Dwarf Conifer Collection, Hyatt Garden - Starting Over

2022 Newsletters

• Fall 2022
  Chapter Picnic, Tyler Arboretum and Hybridizer's Test Garden
      Fall Banquet - Kathy Jentz on "Attractive and Lasting Landscape Combinations
• Summer 2022
  ARS Fall Meeting - Gettysburg, Remembering Jean Beaudry, National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, Photo Gallery: Blooms and Butterflies
• Spring 2022
  Pennsylvania Field Trip, Problems with the White Garden - Fighting against the Resident Curator Program
      Garden Tour 2022
  
• Winter 2022
  Virtual Meeting: R. austrinum in the Wild by Ralf Bauer, In Memoriam Tributes, Dealing with Snow, Rhododendrons of the Year, Chapter Seed Exchange
  

2021 Newsletters

• Fall 2021
  Fall meeting with Karel Bernady: "Rhododendron Eclectic", Picnic Scenes, ARS the Virtual Symposium, Daffodils as Companion Plants
  
• Summer 2021
  Picnic Plans, Rhododendron maximum by Carol Segree, Late Blooming Rhododendrons, Wildflower Companions for Summer Color, Coleus and Daylilies
  
• Spring 2021
  Thoughts on My Garden, Visiting Local Gardens after Vaccination: Cosby Garden, Dave and Leslie Garden, Richard Bradshaw Garden, Carol Segree Garden, Bob and Rosa McWhorter Garden, Londontown Gardens
  
• Winter 2021
  Virtual Convention Details, Rhododendron arboreum, R. luteum and Mad Honey, Rhododendrons of the Year, Lepidote Rhododendrons, Chapter Seed Exchange
  

2020 Newsletters

• Newsletter Supplements in 2020 - Weekly Garden Comments During the Coronavirus Lock Down
  

  This Week 1 - Flower Pictures from District 9 (3/22/2020)
  This Week 2 - R. austrinum in Florida (3/28/2020)
  This Week 3 - No April Fool's Joke? - Pretty Spring with No Freeze (4/4/2020)
  This Week 4 - Missing the Masters - A Garden in Georgia (4/11/2020)
  This Week 5 - Did I Speak Too Soon? - Surviving Another Freeze (4/18/2020)
  This Week 6 - Remembering Good Friends (4/25/2020)
  This Week 7 - April Flowers Bring May Flowers - Segree Garden, Tree Peonies (5/2/2020)
  This Week 8 - Happy Mother's Day! - Heritage Flowers and More Friends (5/9/2020)
  This Week 9 - The Merry Month of May - Spring in the Appalachians with R. vaseyi (5/16/2020)
  This Week 10 - The Midas Touch - Yellow Rhododendrons (5/23/2020)
  This Week 11 - Rhdodendron prunifolium (8/13/2020)
  This Week 12 - Happy Thanksgiving - Appreciating Fall Color (11/26/2020)
  
  

• Fall 2020
  Schedule Changes due to Covid-19, Rhododendron of the Year Selections, Reflections on Charles Dexter
  
• Summer 2020
  The Field Trip That Didn't Happen - Roan Mountain, Gregory Bald, Hooper Bald, Commentary about the USFS proposed Land Management Plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in the Southern Appalachians
        Essay on the Appalachians - Just the commentary on the USFS proposed Land Management Plan
  
• Spring 2020
  The Azaleas of Sandra McDonald, Photography Contest Results, How to Make a Cross, Update on the White Garden
  
• Winter 2020
  Maria Price Speaks on Herbs, Gray Carter Memorial Dedication, Rhododedrons of the Year, Nursery Field Trip Plants, Gardens to at the 75th Anniversary Convention, 2020 Seed Exchange
  

2019 Newsletters

• Fall Supplement 2019
  Banquet with Steve Krebs, Update on the Gray Carter Memorial, Pictures from the Picnic, Director's Report
  
• Fall 2019
  The Mystery of the 'Red Max', Problems with Rhododendron Names, R. calendulaceum 'Best Red', Images from the June Moutain Trips and the Azalea Festival in Robbinsville, NC
  
• Summer 2019
  Workshop on Rooting Rhododendron Cuttings, Remembering Harry Weiskittel and the Marshy Point Azaleas, Report on the ARS Convention in Philadelphia.
• Late Spring 2019 Supplement
  Mountain Trip Plans: Contact points and information about the joint chapter hiking trip in June to see native azaleas and rhododendrons in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.
  
• Spring 2019
  Photography Contest Results, March Meeting: Charlie Andrews speaks on "American Native Azalea Natural Hybrids," Native Azaleas and Genetics, Hurricane Creek Native Azalea Hybrids, Gregory Bald Hybrids, Pennsylvalia Nursery Trip Plans.
  
• Winter 2019
  Photography Contest Rules, January Meeting Focus: The Appalachian Tail with "thru-hiker" Mike Robbins, Chapter News, Nursery Trip Plans, 2019 Rhododendron of the Year Awards, Too Much Rain, Local Chapter Seed Exchange
  

2018 Newsletters

• Fall 2018
  Picnic Plans, Remembering Gray Carter, District Director REport, Incredible German Gardens: Hachmann Nursery & Bruns Nursery, How Rachel Yungman makes Leaf Castings.
  
• Summer 2018
  Upcoming Talk by Rachel Yungman on Leaf Castings, Early Spring Garden Treks to Nurseries and Gardens, Our Potomac Valley Chapter ARS Garden Tour, International Conference in Bremen, Germany, ARS Gold Medal Awards, Azalea Festival in Robbinsville, NC
  
• Spring 2018
  Photography Contest Results, Thoughts on the Reiley Garden, Rooting Dormant Cuttings
  
• Winter 2018
  Thoughts on the 2017 ARS Convention in Eureka, Some Images of Yosemite and the Medocino Botanical Garden, Rhododedrons of the Year for 2018, War on Deer!, Local Chapter Seed Exchange
  

2017 Newsletters

• Fall 2017
  Picnic plans, Fall Banquet Registration: Steve Henning - "Rhododendrons and Gardens in Scotland", Thoughts on Scotland, Garden Tour Reflections, Dues notices, The Pilkington Garden, Images of Germany: ARS 2018!
  Supplement 4: Rhododendron of the Year Award Nominees - We Need Your Input!
  
• Summer 2017
  Karel Bernady to lead Grafting Workshop, Detailed Instructions on Side Grafting, Reflections on the November Wildfire Damage at Wayah Bald, Images from this year's Mountain Hikes
  Supplement 3: Plans for Mountain Hikes in 2017
  
• Spring 2017
  Barbara Bullock, Curator of the Azalea Collection at the National Arboretum, to speak on the Glenn Dale Azaleas, Some History on the Glenn Dale Azaleas, Carolyn and Paul Beck receive Bronze Medal, Photo Contest Results, Mountain Hikes - Part 2
  Supplement 2: Plans for an April field trip to nurseries in Pennsylvania to buy plants
  Supplement 1: Plans for a March field trip to nurseries in North Carolina to buy plants
  
• Winter 2017
  Christopher Lewis to speak on Bees and Honeybees, Rhododendron of the Year Awards, Director's Report, Photo Contest Rules, Mountain Hikes - Part 1, Seed Exchange
  

2016 Newsletters

• Fall 2016
  Chapter Picnic Plans, Remembering Don Voss, Update on the White Garden, The Reality of Deer Damage, Fall Banquet Registration
  
• Summer 2016
  How to root azalea cuttings, Williamsburg Convention Reflections, Garden Tour Pictures, ARS Gold Medals: Norman Beaudry and Bill Mangels
  June 2016 Mountain Trip: Hikes to see native azaleas in the wild
• Spring 2016  
  Martha Brettschneider: "The Garden as Mindfulness Mentor", Photography Contest Winners, Pennsylvania Nursery Trip Plans
  Supplement: North Carolina Nursery Trip Update
• Winter 2016  
  Photography Contest, Trip Plans, Bronze Medal Award: Richard and Ginny Mohr, Bronze Medal Award: Bob and Rosa McWhorter, Williamsburg Convention Plans, Chapter Seed Exchange
  

2015 Newsletters

• Fall 2015  
  Chapter Picnic, Fall Banquet with Steve Kristoph, Thoughts on an Aging Garden by an Aging Gardener
• Summer 2015  
  Rooting Cuttings, Upcoming Activites,Garden Travels 2015
  June 2015 Mountain Trip Plans: Hikes to see native azaleas in the wild
• Early Spring 2015  
  Janet Draper: The "Evolution of the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden",Spring Trip Plans, Photography Contest Winners
  Supplement: Flower Show, Garden Tours, Pennsylvania Nursery Trip
  
• Winter 2015  
  Photography Contest, North Carolina Nursery Trip Plans, Director's Report, Evergreen Azaleas from Germany, 2015 Chapter Seed Exchange
  

2014 Newsletters

• Fall 2014  
  Karen Rexrode Presentation: The Quest for the Best: Plant Exploration, Pot Bound: Transplanting Overgrown Plants, Fall Banquet Registration: Harold Greer
• Summer 2014  
  Picnic Plans, Plants For Members - Native Azaleas, Seeking Smokianum: A Compact Purple Form of R. minus, Update on Grafting Project
• Spring 2014  
  George McLellan - The Winter Garden, Photography Contest Winners, Pennsylvania Nursery Trip Plans, Lepidote Rhododendrons
  Winter Garden Addendum - More Plant Recommendations from George McLellan
• Winter 2014  
  Grafting Illustrated, Photography Contest, North Carolina Nursery Trip Plans, Director's Report, 2014 Chapter Seed Exchange
  

2013 Newsletters

• Fall 2013  
  Fall Banquet with Ron Rabideau on "Plant Hunting in the Himalayas", The Himalayas and Arunachal Pradesh, More on Williamsburg 2016 Convention Plans, Thoughts on Rhododendron Species
  
• Summer 2013  
  John Lonsdale on "Woodland Treasures", Williamsburg 2016 Convention Plans, Director's Report, Two West Coast Hybridizers: Jim Barlup and Frank Fujioka
  
• Spring 2013  
  Norm Beaudry Speaks on the 5/5/5 Rhododendron, Photography Contest Winners, Flower Show Plans, Update on Field Trips
  
• Winter 2013  
  Photography Contest, Update on Banquet, North Carolina Nursery Trip Plans, Director's Report, Cool Tool: the Weed Wrench, Remembering Good Friends, Seed Exchange
  

2012 Newsletters

• Late Summer / Fall 2012  
  Rhododendron Registration, Review of the Garden Tours, Asheville Convention, Volunteering at the White Garden,
  Fall Banquet Announcement 2012  
  George Woodard - "In Search of Little Epiphanies"
  
• Late Spring 2012  
  Chapter Garden Tour, District Director's Report, Volunteering at the White Garden, Making a Cross, Chapter Picnic Plans, Recipes
  
• Early Spring 2012  
  Trip Updates, Photography Contest Winners, Thoughts on Propagation and Grafting, Save the Azaleas - Arboretum Update, Storm Damage at the Rhododendron Species Foundation
  
• Winter 2012  
  Bicolor Rhododendrons, Photography Contest Rules, Director's Report, The Great Azalea Planting, Chapter Seed Exchange
  

2011 Newsletters

• Fall 2011  
  Fall Banquet: Steve Hootman, Plants on Ice Mountain by Jean Beaudry and Carol Segree, Big Leaf Rhododendrons
• Summer 2011  
  Gray Carter turns 90, National Arboretum Field Trip, Director's Report, Update on the White Garden, Hooper Bald Project Rooting Rhododendron Cuttings, Winning Photo Contest Entries
• Spring 2011  
  Arboretum Update: Save the Azaleas, North Carolina Nursery Trek, Winter Storm Damage
• Winter 2011  
  Arboretum proposes to cut down the Glenn Dale Azaleas, Chapter Seed Exchange
  

2010 Newsletters

• Fall 2010  
  Fall Banquet: Mike Stewart, Director's Report, Variegated Plants, Rhododendron makinoi
• Summer 2010  
  Flower Show Results, ARS Convention on Long Island, Don Voss receives Gold Medal, Rhododendrons in Germany, Mountain Trips and the "Red Max"
• Spring 2010  
  Clean up at the White Garden, Asian Ambrosia Beetles, Sandwich Club Meeting
• Early Spring 2010  
  Snowmageddon, Rooting Dormant Cuttings, Remembering Margaret White, Photography Contest Winners
• Winter 2010  
  Phyllis Rittman receives Bronze Medal, Remembering Jane Goodrich, President's Message from Bob McWhorter, Upcoming Trips, Chapter Seed Exchange
  

2009 Newsletters

• Late Fall 2009  
  Fall Banquet: Bruce Feller, The Garden Blues: Color in the Garden, Remembering Hanak Schannen,
• Early Fall 2009  
  Dr. John Creech: Remembering a Legend, Frederick Coe Garden Bulldozed, The Ericaceae: the Heath Family
• Summer 2009  
  Chapter Picnic, Margaret White celebrates her 103rd Birthday, Photography Contest Winners, Jean and Norman Beaudry receive ARS Silver Medal, Spring Garden Travels
• Spring 2009  
  New Flower Show Categories, Update on the Asian Ambrosia Beetle, North Carolina Nursery Trek Plans
• Winter 2009  
  Raising Rhododendrons and Azaleas from Seed, Chapter Seed Exchange, Hooper Bald Project
  

2008 Newsletters

• Fall 2008  
  Fall Banquet: The History of the Cowles, Dexters, and Related Hybrids, The 2008 Sandwich Club Trip, In Memory of George Miller, June Chapter Field Trips: Roan Mountain and Gregory Bald
• Summer 2008  
  The Asian Ambrosia Beetle, Storm Damage, Flower Show Results, Report on Scotland
• Spring 2008  
  Results of the Chapter Photo Contest, Preparing for the Hikes: Roan Mountain and Gregory Bald, Flower Show Workshop, Possible Side Tours on the Cape Cod Field Trip
• Winter 2008  
  Rhododendron Metternianum, Report from the District Director, 2008 Seed Exchange, Additions to the Chapter Library: Videos
  

2007 Newsletters

• Fall 2007  
  Weeding by John Perkins, Roan Mountain and Gregory Bald Field Trip 2007, Rhododendron vaseyi and the Southern Appalachians, The Legacy of Augie Kehr, The Haag Garden, The Sandwich Club Trip
• Summer 2007  
  Flower Show Results, West Coast Convention, District Meeting, Chapter Field Trip to Peaks of Otter, Trip to Gable's Homestead
• Spring 2007  
  Chapter Photo Contest Winners, District 9 Meeting, Winter Woes, Rooting Dormant Cuttings
• Winter 2007  
  The Lesser known Gables by Jane Goodrich, 2007 Seed Exchange
  

2006 Newsletters

• Fall 2006   Chapter Picnic, The Asian Ambrosia Beetle
  The azalea hybrids of Joe Klimavicz
• Summer 2006  
  2006 Convention Report, Rooting Rhododendron Cuttings,Favorite Companion Plants for the Shady Garden
• Spring 2006  
  Some Canadian Gardens in the Pacific Northwest, An Above Ground Cold Frame
• Winter 2006  
  Late Winter Pruning, The Haag Rhododendrons, 2006 Seed Exchange

2005 Newsletters

• Fall 2005  
  Convention Plans, The 2006 ARS/ASA Covention
• Summer 2005  
  Field Trip Summary, Rhododendron calendulaceum - Variations in the Wild
• Late Spring 2005  
  Making a Cross, Discouraging Deer, A Personal Letter to Joe Gable, More on Field Trip Plans
• Early Spring 2005  
  Photographing Flowers, Chapter Field Trip Plans to Roanoke, Roan Mountain,and Gregory Bald, Hiking Do's and Don'ts
• Winter 2005  
  Winter Protection of Container Plants, Bark Split, Raising Plants from Seed
  2005 Seed Exchange Listing

2004 Newsletters

• Fall 2004
  John Weagle and the Fall Banquet, Azalea Flower Color Inheritance
  Special Plants and Special Places - Don Hyatt on Native Azaleas
• Summer 2004
  Rooting Rhododendron Cuttings, 2004 Van Veen Group Order
• Late Spring 2004
  Rooting Azalea Cuttings, Flower Show Results, Sudden Oak Death, What is a Species
• Early Spring 2004
  George McLellan to Speak, Rooting Dormant Cuttings, The Robin Hill Azalea Website
• Winter 2004
  2004 Seed Exchange, Don Voss to Speak on the Robin Hill Azaleas, Dexter's Spice Gets a New Home

2003 Newsletters

• Fall 2003
  Jeanine Smith to Speak on New Zealand, Jane Goodrich discusses the Leseer Known Gable Rhododendrons, Botanical Correctness, Azalea Species
• Summer 2003
  Flower Show 2003 Results, Paul James Garden and the Delps
• Late Spring 2003
  Chapter Field Trip to Roanoke and the Garden of Paul James, District Meeting 9 Meeting Recap, R. arboreum from India
• Spring 2003
  Paul James to Speak, Norman Beaudry Discusses the Sandwich Club, Chapter Good Doer Survey
• Winter 2003
  Rooting Cuttings During the Winter, Making a Cross, Planting Seed, 2003 Seed Exchange

2002 Newsletters

• Fall 2002
  Steve Hootman to Speak on China, Rhododendron Species from China, Ask The Experts
• Summer 2002
  Report on the Chapter Field Trip, Carefree Comnanion Plants
• Spring 2002 Jim Gears to Speak on the Southern Appalachian Highlands, Plans for the Chapter Field Trip to Roan Mountain and Gregory Bald
• Winter 2002
  2002 Seed Exchange, Raising Rhododendrons and Azaleas from Seed

2001 Newsletters

• Fall 2001
  Good Doer Rhododendrons, Problems with Deer