JARS 43n3 - In Memoriam: Dr. Stuart Holland

In Memoriam: Dr. Stuart Holland
Bill Dale
Sidney, British Columbia, Canada

It was with a feeling of great loss and sadness that members of the Victoria Rhododendron Society learned of the death of Dr. Stuart Holland on March 18, 1989.

Born in Vancouver, B.C., Stuart received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from U.B.C. and a Ph.D. in Geology from Princeton. His working life was spent in British Columbia as a geologist. At the time of his retirement in 1974, he was Chief Geologist for the government of British Columbia.

Stuart was extremely interested in alpine plants and because of his knowledge of the mineral makeup of various areas in the mountains, he knew which species to be on the lookout for on field trips. He often shared collected specimens with friends in the Vancouver Island Rock and Alpine Garden Society.

A member of the ARS for 35 years and charter member of the Victoria Chapter, Stuart was presented with the Bronze Medal in 1986. He was very knowledgeable about propagating and growing rhododendrons and was always willing to share his knowledge with others. He was generous with plants and cuttings, especially to young people. During April and May, his gate was always open to friends and passersby, so others might enjoy his garden. It was especially colorful when his many R. augustinii bloomed.

Stuart was an original member of the Arboretum Society and propagated numerous plants for their display garden at Playfair Park, Victoria. He grew many plants from seed collected in Darjeeling, the Himalayas and the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.

Proficient in everything that he did, he hybridized many rhododendrons, but being a perfectionist, considered only one worthy of naming. That one was 'Transit Gold', pictured in the ARS Journal, Winter 1989 issue.