Rhododendron Conference Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh can be at its most beautiful in May with its magnificent collection of rhododendrons and world famous Alpine Garden. It was founded in 1670 and moved to its present site on the northern side of the city, close to the Firth of Forth, in 1821. It has a large area under glass and provides a complex of relaxing beautiful walks through the Wild Garden, the Arboretum and the new Pringle Chinese Garden. The historic city centre, dominated by the castle, is a 20-minute walk or 5-minute bus ride and provides excellent shopping facilities, museums, theatres and splendid Scottish architecture.

The conference will provide a range of lectures by many internationally renowned speakers covering many aspects of rhododendrons and related plants. It will aim to provide a mix of horticulture and science that will appeal to a wide audience and will cover: cultivation, collection and status in the wild; taxonomy including recent molecular work; problems with pests and diseases and the use of plants in modern gardens. There will be a poster display of modern work and an exhibition of fine rhododendron paintings, many of which have been painted from the cultivated collections in Edinburgh.

For those wishing to have a more extended stay, the conference immediately precedes the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show (21-24th May) and coincides with the Floriade - a three month horticultural spectacular in the Netherlands, which occurs only one year in ten. There will be workshops on rhododendron identification, hosted by Dr. David Chamberlain and Dr George Argent, on 16th & 20th May. Pre- and post-conference tours will be arranged to visit some of the most spectacular Scottish gardens.

Please send expressions of interest to the organiser to receive a circular and indicate whether you wish to speak or present a poster: