The Mason-Dixon Chapter, ARS

The Mason-Dixon Chapter

of the

American Rhododendron Society

'Gilbert Myers'
developed by Helen Myers, photo by Don Hyatt

The Mason-Dixon Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is recognized as one of the more active chapters in the American Rhododendron Society, holding various get-togethers throughout the year and helping to educate the public about rhododendrons at a number of public events (2009 schedule).

The chapter was founded in 1981 and is one of three in District 9 of the ARS. A number of members from that first year remain involved in chapter activities today. Chapter members also hold a number of positions on the national level, and the Mason-Dixon Chapter is proud to claim the late Ed Reiley, a past president and Gold Medal winner of the American Rhododendron Society and the author of Success with Rhododendrons and Azaleas, as one of its charter members. The Mason-Dixon Chapter joined with the other District 9 chapters (the Potomac Valley Chapter and the Middle Atlantic Chapter) and the Brookside Gardens Chapter of the Azalea Society of America to host a joint convention of the Rhododendron Society and the Azalea Society in Rockville, Maryland, in May of 2006. The chapter has also donated plant material to the 2009 ARS Eastern Regional Conference near Philadelphia.

While the members are largely from central Maryland, or, as the weather broadcasters of this region are so fond of saying, "the normally colder northern and western suburbs," members come to the chapter functions from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Associate members cover an even wider geographical range. Our regular meetings and a number of our other activities are in the centrally located town of Westminster, Maryland.

The Mason-Dixon Chapter helps to bring the joy of gardening (especially with rhododendrons!) to the public with booths at several Maryland home and garden shows, other garden-related activities, and appearances at local nurseries. For a number of years, the chapter has had a booth at the Maryland Home & Garden Show at the State Fairgrounds in Timonium. Shortly after the Timonium show, we also have booths at the Frederick County Home Show and the Carroll County Home Show. Members are on hand throughout the shows to answer questions. In 2009, we were also at Towson Garden Day, April 23. Please stop by and visit us at any of these events.

The chapter is active year-round, holding meetings, workshops, and other events, some of which are for members only.

Our educational programs are held primarily in the fall and spring months at the Bear Branch Nature Center north of Westminster (map). We meet to exchange ideas and hear speakers on a variety of topics dealing primarily with rhododendrons and azaleas, but also covering other aspects of landscape gardening. Topics in recent years have included camellias, hollies, and spring-flowering bulbs. Azalea (Azaleas are part of the genus Rhododendron.) and rhododendron topics have included Jim Sullivan, president of the Bowie Bonsai Club and past president of the Potomac Bonsai Association on rhododendrons and azaleas as bonsai, Jane Goodrich of the Potomac Valley Chapter of the ARS on the pioneering hybridizing of Joe Gable, and Joe Klimavicz of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the Azalea Society on the new azalea hybrids he and his daughters have developed in their backyard. We have also had a number of programs over the last few years on native American azaleas by some of America's top experts on the subject. In April, our speaker was Dr. Erik Nilsen of Virginia Tech, discussing vireyas (tropical rhododendrons).Our regular meetings are open to everyone.

A number of hands-on events are held each year. Each summer we present a demonstration on how to root cuttings, followed by our annual cutting auction. Other topics include how to care for the young plants and move them into the garden, raising rhododendrons and azaleas from seed, and the proper method and timing of pruning plants. The chapter newsletter, issued quarterly, includes cultural tips on these and other subjects.

There are also some sub-groups within the chapter. A hybridizers group was formed in early 2006 to explore the possibilities that lie within the vast genus Rhododendron. The group gets together a couple times a year to share experiences and ideas about what new hybrids to attempt. A Plant Development Committee has recently started up, working to increase the variety of plants available, both to members and to the public at our annual show and sale. We stuck our first crop of cuttings in 2008, concentrating on a number of hybrids created by chapter members and some of the less common rhododendron cultivars developed by Gable and Dexter.

Other activities include an informal winter luncheon and a spring garden tour, usually highlighting several members' gardens. Each year, a picnic is held, wrapping up the summer's activities.

The big event of the year is our annual Show and Sale in May. In 2009, it was again held at the Carroll County Ag Center in Westminster on Mother's Day weekend, May 9-10. Azaleas, rhododendrons, and companion plants, such as hollies, hostas, and other perennials will be available for purchase. The hours on Saturday, May 9, are 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM; on Sunday, May 10, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM,

ADMISSION IS FREE.

President: Ray Smith	Secretary: Pat Draisey
Past President: Helen Myers	Treasurer: John Kaylor
Vice-President: Mary Reiley	Membership: Sonny Coble

If you would like more information on the Mason-Dixon Chapter or its activities, please contact Webmaster or see our Schedule. To join, please contact Webmaster or visit the membership section of the ARS web site.