JARS v61n4 - From the Executive Director

From the Executive Director
Laura Grant
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

It has been a challenging summer for the rhododendron and azalea growers, and gardeners in general, across the world. It was either too hot, too dry or too wet. Despite the driest summer in fifty years, I can report very good bud-set in Great Lakes region of North America. Vireyas, tropical rhododendrons grown in the greenhouse, did not have to endure the same elements. But I admire those lucky members who live in Florida, California, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and other warm climates, who can grow vireyas outdoors. If you have not grown them, try them. You will get hooked, if not for their color for the fragrance alone. We are in process of reprinting a brochure on vireya culture and hope to have it available to our members, in the near future.

Our thanks to the following members for their donation of funds to reprint the brochure "An Invitation to the Wonderful World of Rhododendrons & Azaleas": Briggs Nursery, Meadowbrook Nursery/We-Du Natives, Rare Find Nursery and White's Nursery.

Full color postcards and posters of the "Rhododendron of the Year" are available through our office. See the Publication List, inside back cover for details.

Membership in the American Rhododendron Society, with its colorful quarterly Journal, makes a wonderful birthday or a Christmas gift to your friends and family members. Do not miss receiving the winter issue of the Journal ARS; please renew early. November 1st is the deadline.

Our IRS 501 (c) 3 status makes the American Rhododendron Society tax exempt. Donating to the General, Endowment, or Research Fund, helps us fulfill our mandate as a "not for profit organization." Many companies have donation matching programs. Please check with your employer.