QBARS - v10n3 1956 Rhododendron Show Report

1956 Rhododendron Show Report
R. M. Snodgrass, Show Chairman

The Portland Chapter 12th Annual Rhododendron Show was held at the National Test Garden May 19th and 20th in the nearly completed Exhibition House.

In view of last November's severe freezing weather, plus a very hot and dry month of April, we were pleasantly surprised by the number of cut trusses entered in the show by our members. There were approximately 400 beautiful trusses entered, making an outstanding display for our many visitors to enjoy. May we extend a personal "Thank You" to all members who exhibited trusses and plants to help make our show a success on this all important "After the Freeze" year.

The attendance on the first day of the show, Saturday the 19th, was influenced by the extremely warm weather, as only about 2,000 visited the Island that day. Sunday, the 20th, was somewhat cloudy and cooler, and the attendance reached a very satisfactory 5,000 visitors. Many times, it was "one way traffic" on the bridge to the Island Sunday. Most of our visitors were surprised at the number of blooms in the cut truss section and thrilled at the natural beauty of the plants on the Island. There were many comments about the excellent condition of the Island plants; both foliage and blooms, with little apparent "winter damage" in evidence. Of course, there was not the profusion of blooms we have viewed in the past, especially among the species, but the Island was lovely, nevertheless.

One of the highlights in the Test Garden was a two toned dark red and white Rhododendron plant donated by Mr. Irving B. Lincoln approximately three years ago. It was a solid mass of blooms and attracted a great deal of attention. Mr. Lincoln received this plant in a shipment from Holland several years ago and it was incorrectly labeled as to variety. No one was able to identify the plant, so I guess we'll refer to it as "Lincoln's Pride" until it can be correctly named.

We had hoped to fill the interior of our new Exhibition House with rhododendrons and azaleas entered by members in competition for prize ribbons. However, since the ventilating fans had not been installed, it was much too warm inside the House to display the plants. They were, therefore, placed under the covered area along with the cut trusses. Mr. Willis George exhibited a Wilsonae rhododendron, Hillside Nursery entered a fine group of Exbury seedling azaleas and 2 'Purple Splendour' rhododendrons, and the Esch Nursery displayed a group of 'Purple Splendour' rhododendrons, a large plant of 'Mars' and one of their own crosses, Rhododendron 'White Gold'. There would have been many more plant entries had it not been for Old Man Weather.

The Dr. Goodman Cup, presented for the best new American Hybrid was up for competition, but due to the lack of entries was not awarded this year. The Dr. Corbin and Patty Corbin cups were withheld from competition this year as the Show Committee did not feel that there were sufficient blooms entered for proper competition.

The Show Committee consisted of the following members:

JUDGES
Dr. J. H. Clarke
Geo. Grace
Oscar Neet
Joseph Klupenger
Wm. Robinson
Howard Slonecker, alt.
Arthur Wright, Sr.
E. H. M. Cox of Perth, Scotland and his son, Peter, acted as Honorary Judges.

Recording
Mrs. Wales Wood
Arno E. Ritter

Publicity
C. I. Sersanous
R. Bovee

Information Booth and Book Sales
Mrs. Ruth Hansen, plus volunteers

Awards, Ribbons, Cups, etc.
C. T. Hansen

Cut Truss Section, etc.
Mrs. Sersanous
Guy Johnson
Sumner Williams
Willis George