JARS v64n3 - Rhododendrons Abound at Planting Fields

Rhododendrons Abound at Planting Fields
Vincent A. Simeone
Oyster Bay, New York

The Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay is Long Island's premier public arboretum and historic site. A former Gold Coast estate, the arboretum is comprised of 409 acres [169 ha] of greenhouses, rolling lawns, formal gardens, woodland paths, and outstanding plant collections. The original historic estate buildings remain including the 65 room Tudor Revival mansion, Coe Hall, which is open for tours spring through fall. The grounds, landscaped by the Olmsted Brothers of Brookline, Massachusetts, are spectacularly beautiful year round. Educational programs are offered for children and adults.

Rhododendrons have long been an integral part of the plant collections at Planting Fields. Like many great estate owners of the Gold Coast era, Mr. Coe was an avid collector of rhododendron hybrids and species from all over the world. During the Coe era, the majority of Mr. Coe's collection was concentrated just to the east of Coe Hall. Today, rhododendrons and azaleas can be found in mass throughout the grounds.

Over the past 15 years, Planting Fields has been rebuilding its rhododendron collection in an effort to enhance and update this diverse group of plants. This year we have acquired numerous very special hybrids and species to enhance the existing collection.

Among these acquisitions is a collection of nearly 200 small leaved rhododendrons from the famed Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Weston developed the PJM Group, as well as many other lepidote rhododendrons that offer improved early and mid season flowering and exceptional cold hardiness. While many rhododendrons prefer shade, these small leaved rhododendrons are especially adaptable to sun. Over 25 new varieties of these Weston selections have found a new home along Beech Drive, Coe Hall and the Azalea Walks.

Another significant collection that has been acquired through several special donations is a tropical rhododendron collection that will be housed on the north east end of the Camellia Greenhouse. These tropical rhododendrons, known as vireyas, grow in mild, humid climates of South East Asia in Malay Archipelago, Philippines, Borneo, Indonesia and New Guinea. Vireyas are quite unique and even have epiphytic characteristics allowing them to be grown on trees and rocks. The vireyas will add a very unique aesthetic to the greenhouse and will feature dozens of choice varieties and species offering vibrant flower colors and lustrous foliage.

One of the key components to the success of this collection is creating a humid environment for the plants to thrive. Thanks to the generous donation of Bruce and Marianne Feller, Planting Fields has been able to purchase a fogging system to intermittently apply moisture to the greenhouse to ensure the relative humidity remains high. Bruce and Marianne have been active members of the New York Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society for many years and continue to support the rhododendron collections at Planting Fields. In addition to the fogging machine, specific soil and display material is being used to ensure that the long term viability and aesthetic value of the collection is maximized. These materials, along with additional rhododendrons will be purchased as part of a donation from our new board member, Peter Tiberio.

These two very different and unique rhododendron collections will undoubtedly extend our rhododendron season and enhance an already impressive collection at Planting Fields (see photos).

* Name is not registered.

Vinnie Simone is the Director of Planting Fields Arboretum on Long Island in New York.

[Editor's Note: At the recent ARS convention, garden tour members visited the Planting Fields, where many of us were guided around by Vinnie. He gave a wonderful summary of the Fields, and seemed to know the history and name of every single one of the garden's countless species and hybrids. It was an impressive performance, and my only regret was that our relatively brief visit was way too short, understandably because we had other gardens to visit, but it would have been very easy to spend a whole day there. It is a wonderful public garden, and for those who have not had the opportunity to visit, I strongly encourage you to do so if you have the opportunity.]