Results of the 1954 Show Seattle Rhododendron Society
Arthur P. Dome
The Fifth Annual Seattle Rhododendron Show was held in the South Concourse of the University of Washington Stadium beginning Thursday May 6 and ending Sunday evening, the 9th of May. For the event the vast dark concrete cavern was transformed into a garden of light and color. The gray walls were lined with
Abies grandis
to form a pleasing background for the bright colors of blooms and the varying shades of foliage.
The design called for landscape displays on each side of the long foyer with an undulating margin line. This produced the very pleasing effect of making the whole area seem like one large garden, with the different plantings blending one into another naturally and harmoniously. Most of the concourse was taken up with the landscape displays and the specimen plant groups. A new feature this year, that of floral arrangements featuring rhododendrons, was staged by the Snoqualmie District of the Washington Federation of Garden Clubs. This novel and beautiful division occupied one end of the display area. Cut trusses were shown in a side room of their own that opened out from the main concourse.
Despite the early date set for the show, the late and extremely cold growing season, and a severe frost a week before the opening, the large area was completely filled with excellent blooming plants, well grown and in fine condition. There were eighteen landscaped displays running in size from 130 square feet to 540 square feet and thirty-five specimen plants were shown. Due to the cool weather and favorable location the plants and blossoms were as fine, if not finer, at the close on Sunday evening than they were at the opening. Because of the retarded season the cut truss division was not as large as usual and there were entries in only nineteen of the twenty-eight classes open. From the standpoints of size and beauty however, surely this exhibit was one of the most outstanding displays of rhododendrons ever held in this country.
The Frederick & Nelson Trophy, a perpetual cup for the Best Landscape Display, was won by Clarence Prentice of the Prentice Nursery and Decorating Co. This display contained a waterfall and many large sized plants of most of the new and popular hybrids and species, well grown and well displayed.
The Seattle Trust & Savings Bank Trophy, a perpetual cup for the Best Plant in Show, was won by Mr. Donald G. Graham. This plant was a large specimen of
R. augustinii
about nine feet tall and also received the award for the Best Species Plant in the show. The Seattle Rhododendron Society Trophy, an annual achievement cup for the Best Hybrid Seedling in the show, was won by Mr. Endre Ostbo of the King of Shrubs Nursery, Bellevue. This was a cross between R. 'Mrs. Donald G. Graham' and 'Mrs. R. S. Holford' which had a full truss of carmen-pink blossoms with a chocolate blotch.
The award for the Best Hybrid Plant in the show was won by Mr. Raymond R. Gardner. This was a R. 'C. B. Van Ness' that was about eight feet tall and about five feet through.
Mr. and Mrs. Win. Calvert received the award for the Best Cut Truss in the show. This was a very nice form of R. 'Beauty of Littleworth'.
As it was in 1953, the Show was staged by the Seattle Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, cosponsored by the U. of W. Arboretum Foundation. Admission was charged with the proceeds to go to the fund for the erection of a permanent floral hall in the Arboretum Grounds. A good boost was given to the fund from the profits of the show as attendance was much better than ever before. Mr. Edward B. Dunn, President of the Seattle Chapter, was Show Chairman for the Seattle Rhododendron Society and Mr. Donald G. Graham was co-chairman for the Arboretum Foundation. Mr. Donald K. McClure did a very commendable job in staging the show. Other committee chairmen who also gave generously of their time and effort were: Decorative Division, Mrs. Andrew Chayka; Exhibitors, Mr. Arthur P. Dome; Garden Clubs, Mr. Melvin V. Love; Information, Mrs. J. Swift Baker; Judges and Awards, Mrs. J. Wendall Trosper; Publicity, Mrs. Don R. Baker; Receiving and Classification Mrs. Ivan Bruce; Scheduling, Mr. Brian O. Mulligan; Show Program, Mrs. Donald G. Graham; Tickets, Mr. Albert F. Hull; Transportation, Mr. Karl I. Sifferman; Show Layout, Mr. Noble Hoggson.
Since the show was accredited by the American Rhododendron Society, the judging was in accordance with the A.R.S. rules. The judges for the show were: Major Peter Barber, Exbury Gardens, Southampton, England; Mr. Carl P. Fawcett, President, Tacoma Chapter, A.R.S.; Dr. J. H. Clarke, Long Beach, Washington; Mr. J. Herbert Bowen, Tacoma, Washington; Mr. Roy W. Clark, Olympia, Washington.
SECTION A: DISPLAYS
CLASS
1: Group of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and suitable associated plants on an area from 350 to 500 sq. ft.
1. Prentice Nursery & Decorating Co.
2. Anhalt's Shur-Gro Nurseries.
3. Van's Northgate Nursery.
2. Group of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and suitable associated plants on an area of from 200 to 350 sq. ft.
1. Richmond Nurseries.
2. King of Shrubs Nursery, Endre Ostbo.
3. Mr. Donald G. Graham.
4. Malmo Nurseries.
3. Group of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and suitable associated plants on an area of less than 200 sq. ft.
1. Flora Markeeta, Mrs. Beck.
2. Thomas W. Martin.
3 Hopkins Nursery.
4. University of Washington.
4. Group of three specimen hybrid or species Rhododendrons, all of one variety or a mixture of varieties. Moss and low growing subordinate plant material, permitted.
1. Dr. William B. Hutchinson.
2. Mrs. Henry Isaacson.
3. Mrs. Ernest R. Johnson.
5. Group of three specimen hybrid or specie's Azalea plants, all of .one variety or a mixture of varieties. Moss and low growing subordinate plant, material permitted.
No entries.
6. Group not exceeding ten plants of dwarf or alpine species of Rhododendron, all of one variety or a mixture of varieties, none exceeding eighteen inches in height. Moss and low growing subordinate plant material permitted.
No entries.
SECTION B: SPECIMEN PLANTS
7. One specimen plant of any Rhododendron species exceeding three feet in height.
1. Mr. Donald G. Graham,
R. augustinii
.
2. Mr. Clarence Prentice,
R. davidsonianum
.
3. Mr. Linley Janzen,
R. oreotrephes
.
8. One specimen plant of any Rhododendron species less than three feet in height.
1 Mrs. James Caperci.
R. fimbriatum
.
9. One specimen plant of a dwarf alpine species of Rhododendron, not to exceed eighteen inches in height.
1. Mr. Clarence Prentice,
R. fastigiatum
.
2. Mr. Donald G. Graham,
R. hanceanum nanum
.
10. One specimen plant of any Rhododendron hybrid, excluding R. Loderi, exceeding three feet in height.
1. Mr. Raymond G. Gardner, R. 'C. B. Van Nes'.
2 Malmo Nurseries, R. 'Mrs. G. W. Leak'.
3. Flora Markeeta, R. 'Faggetter's Favorite'.
11. One specimen plant of any Rhododendron hybrid, excluding R. Loderi, less than three feet in height.
1. Mr. James Brennan, R. 'C. B. Van Nes'.
2. Mr. Clarence Prentice, R. 'Mariloo'.
3. Mr. Fred Anhalt, R. 'F. C. Puddle'.
12. One plant of any form of R. 'Loderi'.
1 Mrs. Allen B. Engle, R. 'Loderi King George'.
13. One plant of any species in Series Azalea.
1. Mrs. Henry Isaacson,
R. schlippenbachii
.
2. Dr. Win. B. Hutchinson,
R. reticulatum
.
3. Mr. Linley Janzen,
R. reticulatum
.
14. One plant of any recognized hybrid or form in Series Azalea.
1. Bassett's Garden Supplies, R. 'Willy'.
2. Mr. Donald G. Graham, R. 'Narcissiflora'.
15. One plant of any named hybrid of which
R. griersonianum
is one parent.
1. Mr. Clarence Prentice, R. 'Day Dream'.
16. One flowering plant of any hybrid seedling Rhododendron raised by the exhibitor, the parentage and origin to be specified.
1. Mr. Endre Ostbo, R. 'Mrs. Donald G. Graham' x 'Mrs. R. S. Holford'.
2. Mrs. Donald K. McClure, R. 'Vulcan' x 'Vulcan'.
17. One flowering plant of any hybrid seedling Azalea raised by the exhibitor, the parentage and origin to be specified.
No entries.
18. One flowering plant of any hybrid seedling Azaleodendron raised by the exhibitor, the parentage and origin to be specified.
1. Mr. Endre Ostbo,
R. occidentale
x 'Aladdin'.
SECTION C: CUT TRUSSES
19. One flower truss of any species in Series Fortunei.
No entries.
20. A spray of any species in Series Cinnabarinum.
No entries.
21. One flower truss or spray of any species in Series Maddenii.
No entries.
22. One flower truss of
R. griersonianum
.
No entries.
23. One spray of any species in Series Triflorum.
1. Mrs. Henry Isaacson,
R. yunnanense
.
2. Dr. Win. B. Hutchinson,
R. augustinii
.
3. Mr. Clarence Prentice,
R. augustinii
.
24. One truss or spray of any species in Series Thomsonii.
1. Mrs. Henry Isaacson,
R. wardii
.
2. Mrs. Donald G. Graham,
R. campylocarpum var. elatum
.
3. Mr. and Mrs. Win. Calvert,
R. campylocarpum
.
25. One truss of a species in Series Ponticum.
No entries.
26. One truss or spray of a species in Series Azalea.
1. Mr. W. Ryland Hill,
R. schlippenbachii
.
2. Mrs. Burton Wheelon,
R. quinquefolium
.
3. Dr. Win. B. Hutchinson,
R. reticulatum
.
27. One cut truss or spray of a species in any other Series not mentioned.
No entries.
28. Cut trusses of 12 distinct hybrid Rhododendrons, named, each in a separate vase.
1. Mrs. Donald G. Graham, R. 'Mrs. G. W. Leak'.
2. Dr. Win. B. Hutchinson, R. 'Goldsworth Pink'.
29. Cut trusses of 6 distinct hybrid Rhododendrons, named, each in a separate vase.
Honorable mention, Mrs. Chas. D. Sully.
29-A. Cut trusses of a group of species Rhododendrons, named, each in a separate vase.
1. Mr. W. Ryland Hill.
2. Mr. Donald G. Graham.
3. Mrs. Chas. D. Sully.
30. One flower truss of R. 'Loderi' or any form of it.
1. Mr. and Mrs. Win. Calvert, 'Venus'.
2. Dr. Win. B. Hutchinson, R. 'King George'.
3. Mrs. Chas. D. Sully, R. 'King George'.
31. One truss of any hybrid of which
R. griersonianum
is one parent.
1. Mr. Clarence Prentice, R. 'Grierdal'.
32. One spray of any hybrid in which
R. cinnabarinum
is one parent.
1. Dr. Win. B. Hutchinson, R. 'Lady Chamberlain'.
33. One truss of any hybrid of which
R. campylocarpum
is one parent.
1. Mr. and Mrs. Win. Calvert, R. 'Gladys'.
2. Mrs. Dayton Davies, R. 'Moonstone'.
34. One truss of a hybrid of Series Fortunei.
No entries.
35. One truss of any white hybrid Rhododendron.
1. Mr. W. Ryland Hill, R. 'Fragrantissimum'.
36. One truss of a yellow hybrid Rhododendron.
1. Mrs. Sam Rubenstein, R. 'Unique'.
2. Mr. and Mrs. Win. Calvert, R. 'Devonshire Cream'.
37. One truss of a clear pink hybrid Rhododendron.
1. Dr. Win. B. Hutchinson, R. 'Bow Bells'.
38 One truss of a rose colored hybrid Rhododendron.
1. Mr. Arthur P. Dome,
R. thomsonii
x
orbiculare
.
2. Mrs. Arthur J. Krauss, R. 'Mrs. C. B. Van Ness'.
3. Mrs. Burton Wheelon,
williamsianum
hybrid.
39. One truss of a red hybrid Rhododendron.
1. Mrs. Carl Ballard, R. 'Earl of Athlone'.
2. Mrs. Sam Rubenstein, R. 'F. C. Puddle'.
3. Dr. Wm. B. Hutchinson, R. 'David'.
40 One. truss or spray of a salmon, orange or apricot hybrid Rhododendron.
No entries.
40-A. One truss of a blue or lavender hybrid Rhododendron.
1. Dr. Wm. B. Hutchinson, R. 'Electra'.
2. Mrs. Earle Zinn, R. 'Blue Tit'.
41. One truss of a hybrid Rhododendron with a blotched flower.
1. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Calvert, R. 'Beauty of Littleworth'.
2. Dr. Clarence W. Bledsoe, R. 'Mrs. G. W. Leak'.
3. Dr. I. L. McCoy, R. 'Mrs. G. W. Leak'.
42. One truss or spray of an Azaleodendron.
No entries.
43. One spray of any recognized deciduous Azalea hybrid or form.
1. Mrs. Carl Ballard, A Glen Dale hybrid.
2. Mrs. Chas. D. Sully, unidentified Azalea.
3. Mrs. Arthur J. Krauss,
R. luteum
.
44. One spray of any recognized evergreen Azalea hybrid or form.
1. Mrs. Arthur J. Krauss, R. 'Hinodegeri'.
2. Mrs. Chas. D Sully, unidentified Azalea.
45. One truss of any new hybrid Rhododendron raised from seed by the exhibitor. Parentage to be stated.
No entries.
46. One spray or truss of any new hybrid Azalea raised from seed by the exhibitor. Parentage to be stated.
No entries.
Courtesy exhibits.
1. Dr. Wm. B. Hutchinson, R. 'Snow Queen'.
2. Mrs. Chas. D. Sully, R. 'Unknown Warrior'.
3. Mrs. Henry Isaacson, R. eltiem (?).
4. Mr. Endre Ostbo,
R. thomsonii
x 'Cornish Cross'.