QBARS - v18n4 Early Season Rhododendron Competition

Early Season Rhododendron Competition
Seattle, April 4 and 5, 1964
At the Clubhouse, University of Washington Arboretum
Frank Doleshy

Since this competition was something of a new departure in America, the evolution of the idea may be of interest. Impetus came, of course, from the fact that so many of the finest rhododendrons are in flower during April or earlier. With traditional U.S. shows timed to display the older hybrids, there was never the opportunity for massed showing of the other good things. The Seattle Study Group (a very informal organization within the Seattle Chapter) decided this year that such an opportunity should be provided, and we were delighted at the enthusiastic response throughout the Seattle Society.

Starting from this decision, we went ahead with some other ideas. First, we eliminated any separate classes for amateurs, commercial growers, botanical gardens-or people with red hair. Second, we ruled out all courtesy displays and required each entry to stand up to the competition. Third, we welcomed entries from American Rhododendron Society members anywhere, regardless of whether they were Seattle members.

Sweepstakes Won by Arboretum These rules gave us an open contest, with all emphasis on the quality of the plant material rather than the source. Amateurs, facing competition with nurserymen and the University of Washington Arboretum, seemed delighted to play in a big-league game. And the nurserymen and Arboretum seemed equally undismayed and entered things of the most unusual caliber. Based on points for each award, the Arboretum won the Sweepstakes Trophy by a margin of only 10 % over the amateur in second place, and the out-of-town nurseryman in third place followed even more closely. Two or three entries could have completely upset these rankings and, next year, probably will.

To a greater extent than usual, this was a do-it-yourself competition, with exhibitors preparing their own identification cards. And, through hard work by many committee members, we were economically provided with excellent staging, award ribbons and classification signs. However, there was no atmosphere of impoverishment, and the Study Group expenses of $188.17 included such pleasures as the entertainment of 15 guests at the awards banquet (but did not include publicity expense or a portion of postage expense, contributed by the Seattle Chapter).

Total expenses were perhaps one-tenth of a big-show budget, and provided a two-day free-admission display of 291 cut trusses and sprays, 65 plants, and 13 leaf and special exhibits, covering a great botanical range and staged with no small attention to proper classification and nomenclature.

The arrangement of cut material alphabetically by series, besides making things easy to find, turned out to be an artistic success. The individual classes contained harmonizing but diversified colors, and such series as Triflorum sprinkled the array with big, bright splashes.

Concerning future years, a major feature we have in mind is rotation of dates. Because of a late, cool spring, this year's competition brought in a surprising number of the earliest things. Next year we shall perhaps delay the date until April 15, then move to the end of April in 1966 and start over with a March date in 1967. Also, we are considering an additional midJune competition to bring in the late flowers which are also lacking on conventional show dates.

When selecting judges, we drummed up all possible hope that the competition would be worth the attention of Mr. and Mrs. Greig, from Royston, British Columbia, Mr. Alleyne Cook of Vancouver, and Mr. Carl S. English, Jr. of Seattle. All accepted with enthusiasm and decided as follows: