QBARS - v9n3 Results of the 1955 Seattle Show

Results of the 1955 Seattle Show
By Arthur P. Dome

View of 1955 Seattle Rhododendron Show
Fig. 34.  A View of the 1955 Seattle Rhododendron Show looking down through the
concourse from the entrance.
Forde photo

The Sixth Annual Seattle Rhododendron Show was held, as last year, in the South Concourse of the University of Washington Stadium and being a week later, it ran from Thursday, May 12, through Sunday evening May 15. Again this year, the nearly half-acre, man made cavern was transformed into a wonder land of magnificent plantings of rhododendrons and associate plants which, all together, contained thousands of plants and proportionately more blooms. The landscape displays which lined each side of the long concourse were well planted, each blending well into the next and with the tall Abies grandis as a general background, it gave one the feeling of walking through a woodland garden of the gods.
Despite the retarded season this year, the show proved to be a great success. Our judges, many of whom have seen the major floral shows of the world, proclaimed this one far superior to any of its kind that they have ever seen. There were eighteen landscaped displays ranging in size from eight square feet to seven hundred and fifty square feet and many fine plants were shown in the specimen plant displays. There were twenty-seven classes for cut trusses, all of which were filled but four.

1955 Seattle Rhododendron Show
Fig. 35.  A view of one of the displays at the 1955 Seattle Rhododendron Show.
Forde photo

As one entered the show they looked into the vast display put in by the Malmo Nurseries and. Landscape Service which contained a patio or outdoor room, many flowering trees and some fine plants of R. 'Mrs. G. W. Leak', R. 'Mrs. C. B. Van Ness', R. 'Elizabeth' and a large R. 'Dr. Stocker'. Next was the display of the Vic Mix Campus Nursery which was well planted with many flowering trees, some specimen plants of R. 'Christmas Cheer' and the white azalea, ledifolia alba . The L. N. Roberson Co. display was outstanding for its native trees and shrubs which gave a fine setting for such plants as R. 'Bow Bells', R. 'Unique', R. 'Earl of Athlone' and many others. The specimen plants display was next and this contained such plants as Mr. Endre Ostbo's new hybrid seedling, the best in the show, a cross between R. 'Romany Chal' and R. 'Britannia'. Other Blue Ribbon plants in this display were: R. campylocarpum var. elatum belonging to Mr. Donald G. Graham, R. Earl of Athlone belonging to Mrs. Chas. D. Sully, R. 'Arthur J. Ivens' belonging to Mrs. Wendall Trosper, R. deleiense belonging to Mrs. John Blackford and R. 'Mrs. G. W. Leak' belonging to Mrs. Chas. D. Sully. The display of Anhalt's ShurGro Nurseries contained many large, well-grown plants of R. 'Bow Bells', R. 'Butterfly', R. 'Unknown Warrior', R. 'Earl of Athlone' and others which were set off by the use of a fine lawn and fountain. The Flora Markeeta display was next with two of the largest plants on exhibit. These were two R. decorum hybrids, about twelve feet tall, that could be seen from nearly every point in the show. After this was the exhibit of the University of Washington Arboretum which was put in under the personal guidance of Mr. Brian O. Mulligan, Director. This was an outstanding educational display which showed the variety of types of species that grew in the Himalayas, the Central and Western regions of China as well as the characteristics of the different series. Some of the plants seen here were R. arboreum , R. bullatum , R. auriculatum , R. orbiculare , R. falconeri , R. fictolacteum as well as many of the Triflorums and Lapponicums. The Pacific Northwest Nurseries had a fine display showing how to use the larger flowering trees with plants such as R. 'C. B. Van Ness', R. 'Earl of Athlone', R. 'Blue Tit' and many others.
At this point was the entrance to the cut truss displays. Here were shown hundreds of the different trusses and the floral arrangements. The most outstanding truss was one of R. 'Unknown Warrior', belonging to Mrs. Don Palmer and it took the award for the Best Truss in the show.
Upon leaving the cut truss display and going along the South side of the concourse toward the entrance, was the exhibit of Lem's Nursery which contained many of his own hybrids and specimen size specie plants such as R. bureavii , R. albrechtii , R. falconeri and R. rex . Next was very fine display of dwarf alpine species and their hybrids that was put in by Mr. and Mrs. Caperci of the Mt. Rainier Alpine Gardens. This exhibit contained such plants as R. elaeagnoides , R. sargentianum , R. chryseum and Forrest's No. 19,404 form of R. racemosum . The display of Van's Northgate Nursery was next with a large variety of fine plants such as R. 'Medusa', R. 'F. C. Puddle', R. 'Unique', R. 'Earl of Athlone', R.'Elspeth', R. 'Loder's White' and many others. Mr. Donald K. McClure had a very fine display of selected hybrid seedling rhododendrons of considerable size. Two of the most outstanding were R. 'Fabia' x R. 'Lady Bessborough' and R. 'Fabia' x R. discolor . The Strander Evergreen Nurseries exhibit was next and here was shown how to use rhododendrons in plantings of conifers and associate plants. Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Johnson had a fine display and showed such plants as R. campylocarpum , R. 'Lady Roseberry', R. 'Naomi', R. 'Loderi' var. 'Pink Diamond' and R. 'Elspeth'. Next was the display of Wright's Nursery and Landscape Service which showed plantings of rhododendrons and flowering trees around a pool. The vast exhibit of the Prentice Nursery and Decorating Co. was next with its massive rock work and water falls. In this display were such plants as a eight foot R. 'Bow Bells', large plantings R. 'Elizabeth', the Biscuit form of R. 'Day Dream' and other such plants as R. 'Lady Chamberlain', R. 'Idealist', R. 'Temple Belle' and a large R. 'Unknown Warrior'. The display of Endre Ostbo's King of Shrubs Nursery was very outstanding for here were seen rhododendrons, placed in a woodland setting with many ferns, large mossy logs and suitable associate plants. One could see fine specimen plants of R. thomsonii , R. 'Dormouse', R. 'White Swan', R. kingianum , a cross of R. thomsonii and R. 'Cornish Cross', R. 'The Honorable Jean Marie de Montague' and the better forms of R. augustinii . The Hopkins Nursery exhibit was next, with a large plant of R. schlippenbachii , many of the Sherwood azaleas and several different hybrid rhododendrons that were being used as foreground plantings for the larger flowering trees. The display of the Rhod-A-Zalea Gardens was next with its unique plantings of new hybrid azaleas and rhododendrons well placed among the rocks and logs of the exhibit. After this we arrived back at the entrance and concluded our tour of the "Greatest Rhododendron Show on Earth."
The show was staged by the Seattle Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society and co-sponsored by the University of Washington Arboretum. Admission was charged with the proceeds to go to the fund for the erection of a permanent floral hall on the Arboretum Grounds. The attendance at the show was greater than last year and this was very gratifying considering all the competition we had at the time along with the weather being quite nasty.
Mr. Donald K. McClure did a very commendable job as the General Show Chairman and to him goes most of the credit for making it the success it was. Other committee chairmen who also gave generously of their time and effort were: Show Program, Mr. Edward B. Dunn; Staging, Mr. Thomas F. Martin; Tickets, Mr. Albert F. Hull; Scheduling, Mr. Harry Madison; Receiving and Classification, Mrs. Harry Slater; Transportation, Mr. Karl 1. Sifferman; Judges and Awards, Mrs. J. Wendell Trosper; Publicity, Mrs. W. Webb Moffett; Cut Blooms, Mrs. Leonard J. Wilcox; Attendance, Mrs. Arthur O. Luther and Exhibitors, Mr. Arthur P. Dome.
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: Mr. P. H. Brydon, Salem, Oregon; Mr. Carl P. Fawcett, Tacoma, Washington; Mr. J. Herbert Bowen, Tacoma, Washington; Mr. H. D. Seale, Victoria, B.C.; Mr. Carl English, Jr., Seattle, Washington; Dr. J. Harold Clarke, Long Beach, Washington.

Winners Of Trophies and Special Awards

  • The Frederick & Nelson Trophy
    A perpetual cup for the Best Landscape Display, was won by Clarence Prentice of the Prentice Nursery and Decorating Co. of Seattle, Washington. This is the second year in a row that Mr. Prentice has won this award.

  • The Seattle Trust & Savings Bank Trophy
    A perpetual cup for the Best Plant in Show, was won by Clarence Prentice of the Prentice Nursery and Decorating Co. of Seattle. It was a large, well shaped plant of R. 'Bow Bells' about eight feet tall and five feet through. This is the first time Mr. Prentice won this award.

  • The Seattle Rhododendron Society Trophy
    An annual achievement cup for the Best Hybrid Seedling in the show, was won by Mr. Endre Ostbo of King of Shrubs Nursery, Bellevue, Washington. This was a cross between R. 'Romany Chal' and R. 'Britannia' which had a full truss of bright scarlet blooms. This is the second year in a row that Mr. Ostbo has won this award.

  • The Award for the Best Specimen Species Plant
    Won by Mr. Donald G. Graham. This plant was a large R. campylocarpum var. elatum in its best form.

  • The Award for the Best Specimen Hybrid Plant
    Won by Mrs. Charles D. Sully. This plant was a large R. 'Earl of Athlone' that was exceptionally well shaped and quite full.

  • The Award for the Best Truss in Show
    Won by Mrs. Don Palmer. This was a very large and well shaped truss of R. 'Unknown Warrior'.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND WINNERS

SECTION A - DISPLAYS

CLASS 1. Group of rhododendrons, azaleas and suitable associate plants on an area of not less than 350 sq. ft
1. Prentice Nursery & Decorating Co.
2. Malmo Nurseries & Landscape Service.
3. Anhalt's Shur-Gro Nurseries. 4. Van's Northgate Nursery.

CLASS 2. Group of rhododendrons, azaleas and suitable associate plants on an area of from 200 sq. ft. to 350 sq. ft.
1. Caperci's Mt. Rainier Alpine Gardens.
2. Ostbo's King of Shrubs Nursery.
3. L. N. Roberson Co.
4. Lem's Nursery.

CLASS 3. Groups of rhododendrons, azaleas and suitable associate plants on an area of less than 200 sq. ft.
1. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest R. Johnson.
2. Mr. Donald K. McClure.
3. Hopkins Nursery.
4. Wight's Nursery & Landscape Service.

CLASS 4. Arrangement in an area not to exceed 20 sq. ft. of dwarf or alpine species or hybrid rhododendrons, none to exceed 24 inches in height. Moss and low growing subordinate plant material permitted.
No entries.

CLASS 5. Group of three specimen hybrid or species rhododendrons or azalea plants, all of one variety or a mixture of varieties. Moss and low growing subordinate plant material permitted.
1. Mrs. Chas. D. Sully.

SECTION B - SPECIMEN PLANTS

CLASS 6. One Specimen plant of any rhododendron species exceeding 3 ft. in height.
1. Mr. Donald G. Graham, R. campylocarpum var. elatum .
2. Mrs. Chas. D. Sully, R. augustinii .
3. Mrs. John Blackford, R. glaucophyllum .

CLASS 7. One specimen plant of any rhododendron species less than 3 ft. in height.
1. Mrs. John Blackford, R. deleiense .

CLASS 8. One specimen plant of a dwarf alpine species of rhododendron not to exceed 18 inches in height.
No entries.

CLASS 9. One specimen plant of any rhododendron hybrid, excluding R. 'Loderi', exceeding 3 ft. in height.
1. Mrs. Chas. D. Sully, R. 'Earl of Athlone'.
2. Dr. and Mrs. John M. Shiach, R. 'Unique'.
3. Mr. Donald G. Graham, R. 'Diane'.

CLASS 10 . One specimen plant of any rhododendron hybrid, excluding R. 'Loderi', less than 3 ft. in height.
1. Mrs. Wendell Trosper, R. 'Arthur J. Ivens'.
2. Mrs. Chas. D. Sully, R. 'May Day'.
3. Mr. Donald G. Graham, R. 'Rosy Bell'.

CLASS 11 . One plant of any form of R. 'Loderi'.
No entries.

CLASS 12. One plant of any species in Series Azalea.
No entries.

CLASS 13. One plant of any recognized hybrid or form in Series Azalea.
No entries.

CLASS 14. One plant of any named hybrid of which R. griersonianum is one parent.
No entries.

CLASS 15. One flowering plant of any hybrid seedling rhododendron not previously exhibited, this plant to be the result of a cross made in the state of Washington.
1. Mr. Endre Ostbo, R. 'Romany Chal' x R. 'Britannia'.
2. Mr. Endre Ostbo, R. 'Romany Chal' x R. 'Britannia'.
3: Mr. Clarence Prentice, (R. 'Fabia' x R. elliottii ) x R. williamsianum .
4. Mr. Endre Ostbo, R. 'Rubina' x R. 'Earl of Athlone'.

CLASS 16. One flowering plant of any hybrid seedling azalea not previously exhibited, this plant to be the result of a cross made in the State of Washington.
No entries.

CLASS 17. One flowering plant of any hybrid seedling azaleodendron not previously exhibited, this plant to be the result of a cross made in the State of Washington.
No entries.

SECTION C-CUT BLOOMS

CLASS 18. Cut trusses of 6 distinct species rhododendron, named and each in a separate vase.
1. Mrs. Loren Grinstead.
2. Mr. Clarence Prentice.
3. Mr. Donald G. Graham.
4. Mrs. J. Swift Baker.

CLASS 19. Cut trusses of six distinct hybrid rhododendrons, named and each in a separate vase.
1. Mr. and Mrs. William Calvert.
2. Dr. and Mrs. J. K. Halloway.
3. Mr. Donald G. Graham.
4. Dr. and Mrs. John M. Shiach.

CLASS 20. One flower truss of any species in Series Fortunei.
1. Mr. Edward Garrett, R. rhantum .
2. No awards.
3. Mr. Donald G. Graham, R. fortunei .

CLASS 21 . One spray of any species in Series Cinnabarinum.
No entries.

CLASS 22. One flower truss or spray of any species in Series Maddeni.
1. No award.
2. Mr. E. R. Johnson, R. johnstoneanum .

CLASS 23. One spray of any species in Series Triflorum.
1. Mrs. Henry Isaacson, R. triflorum .
2. Mrs. Donald G. Graham, R. augustinii .
3. Mrs. Kirby Holmes, R. augustinii .
4. Mrs. Harry Bowen, R. xanthocodon .

CLASS 24. One truss or spray of any species in Series Thomsonii.
1. Mrs. Henry Bittman, R. campylocarpum .
2. Mrs. Helen Raucks, R. thomsonii .
3. Mrs. Henry Isaacson, R. campylocarpum .
4. Mr. and Mrs. William Calvert, R. campylocarpum .

CLASS 25. One truss of a species in Series Ponticum.
No entries.

CLASS 26. One spray of a species in Series Azalea.
1. Mrs. Charles Dunn, R. poukhanense .
2. Mr. W. R. Hill, R. schlippenbachii .
3. Mrs. H. F. Thorlakson, R. calendulaceum .
4. Mr. Donald G. Graham, R. calendulaceum .

CLASS 27. One truss or spray of a species in any other series not mentioned.
1. Mr. W. R. Hill, R. hippophaeoides .
2. Mrs. Elvin Carney, R. rubiginosum .
3. Mrs. Wendell Trosper, R. deleiense .
4. Mrs. Kerry Trimble, R. neriiflorum .

CLASS 28. One truss of R. 'Loderi' or any form of it.
1. Dr. William B. Hutchinson, var. 'Venus'.
2. Mr. and Mrs. William Calvert, var. 'King George'.
3. Dr. and Mrs. John M. Shiach, var. 'King George'.
4. Mr. Donald G. Graham, var. 'King George'.

CLASS 29. One truss of any hybrid of which R. griersonianum is one parent.
1. Mr. E. R. Johnson, R. 'Orestes'.
2. Dr. William B. Hutchinson, R. 'Day Dream'.
3. Mrs. Chas. D. Sully, R. 'May Day'.

CLASS 30. One spray of any hybrid of which R. cinnabarinum is one parent.
1. Mr. Donald G. Graham, R. 'Lady Roseberry'.
2. Dr. William B. Hutchinson, R. 'Lady Chamberlain'.
3. Mr. E. R. Johnson, R. 'Lady Chamberlain'.

CLASS 31. One truss of any hybrid of which R. campylocarpum is one parent.
1. Mr. and Mrs. William Calvert, R. 'Gladys'.
2. Mrs. Nat Rogers, R. 'Unique'.
3. Mr. E. R. Johnson, R. 'Carita'.
4. Mrs. G. Hood, R. 'Unique'.

CLASS 32. One truss of any white rhododendron hybrid, excluding R. 'Loderi'.
1. Mrs. Linley G. Janzen, R. 'Mrs. Henry Agnew'.
2. Dr. and Mrs. F. Tucker, Unnamed.
3. Mrs. Finn Lepsoe, R. 'Mrs. Henry Agnew'.
4. Mr. W. R. Hill, R. 'Fragrantissimum'.

CLASS 33. One truss of any cream colored rhododendron.
1. Mrs. Henry Isaacson, R. 'Diane'.
2. Dr. William B. Hutchinson, R. 'Damaris'.
3. Mr. Tommy Martin Jr., R. 'Butterfly'.
4. Mrs. Roy Maryatt, R. 'Unique'.

CLASS 34. One truss of any yellow hybrid rhododendron.
1. No award.
2. Mrs. Finn Lepsoe, R. 'Moonstone'.
3. Mr. E. R. Johnson, R. 'Damaris'.

CLASS 35. One truss of a pink hybrid rhododendron.
1. Mr. Arni Hanson, R. 'Loderi Venus'.
2. Mrs. Loren Grinstead, R. 'Goldsworth Pink'.
3. Dr. William B. Hutchinson, R. 'Yvonne'.
4. Mrs. E. Case, R. 'Mrs. G. W. Leak'.

CLASS 36. One truss of a red hybrid rhododendron.
1. Mrs. Don Palmer, R. 'Unknown Warrior'.
2. Dr. and Mrs. F. Tucker, R. 'J. G. Millais'.
3. Dr. William B. Hutchinson, R. 'Earl of Athlone'.
4. Mrs. E. A. Rutherford, R. 'Unknown Warrior'.

CLASS 37. One truss or spray of a salmon, orange or apricot hybrid rhododendron.
1. Mr. Donald G. Graham, R. 'Souvenir of W. C. Slocock'.
2. Mrs. H. E. Coe, R. 'Elspeth'.
3. Dr. William B. Hutchinson, R. 'Unique'.
4. Mr. E. R. Johnson, R. 'Iviza'.

> CLASS 38. One truss of any mauve, lavender or purple-colored rhododendron.
1. Mr. E. R. Johnson, R. 'Susan'.
2. Mr. Tommy Martin, Jr., R. 'Susan'.
3. Dr. and Mrs. F. Tucker, R. 'Blue Peter'.
4. Mrs. Don Palmer, R. 'Susan'.

CLASS 39. One truss of any pink or white hybrid rhododendron with blotched flowers.
1. Mrs. Chas. D. Sully, R. 'Mrs. G. W. Leak'.
2. Mr. and Mrs. William Calvert, 'Beauty of Littleworth'.
3. Mr. Donald G. Graham, 'Mrs. G. W. Leak'.
4. Mrs. Shapiro, R. 'Mrs. G. W. Leak'.

CLASS 40 . One truss of an azaleodendron.
No entries.

CLASS 41 . One truss or spray of any deciduous azalea hybrid or form.
1. Mrs. Ofell Johnson, R. schlippenbachii .
2. Mrs. Steve Anderson, R. luteum .

CLASS 42 . One spray of any evergreen azalea hybrid or form.
1. Mr. Donald G. Graham, R. .Pink Beauty., Mrs. Wendell Trosper, R. 'Ward's Ruby'.

CLASS 43. One truss of any new hybrid rhododendron raised from seed by the exhibitor. Parentage to be stated.
1. Mr. Donald K. McClure, ( R. souliei x R. 'Loderi') x ( R. lacteum x R. 'Mary Swaythling')
2. Mrs. Picard, Rhod. 'Earl of Athlone' x R. 'King George'.
3. Mrs. Helen Hessemer, R. 'King George' x R. 'Earl of Athlone'.
4. Mr. John Hessemer, R. 'Earl of Athlone' x R. 'Bow Bells'.

CLASS 44 . One truss or spray from any new hybrid azalea raised from seed by the exhibitor. Parentage to be stated.
No entries.