Mason-Dixon Chapter Schedule


'Aunt Bess' (Bowie Mill Hybrid) Hybridized and photographed by Buck Clagett		'Reileyridge Bright Day' Hybridized and photographed by Ed Reiley

October 4, 2009: Meeting of the Mason-Dixon Chapter at the Bear Branch Nature Center, in Westminster, Maryland (directions). This is the Inaugural Ed Reiley Memorial Program, with a talk by Wayne Mezitt. Unless otherwise noted, all our meetings are open to the public.

November 8, 2009: Meeting of the Mason-Dixon Chapter at the Bear Branch Nature Center, in Westminster, Maryland, starting at 2:00 PM (directions). Program: Joe Minihan on "Central Pennsylvania Rhododendron Hybrids." The Mason-Dixon Chapter Hybridizers' Group meets in the Bear Branch Library starting at 12:15. (You can see some of our chapter members' hybrids here.) This is also the date of our annual fall foliage show. Unless otherwise noted, all our meetings are open to the public.

January 10, 2010: Potomac Valley Chapter, ARS, meeting at the National Arboretum, Washington, D. C.

January 23, 2010: Annual Mason-Dixon Chapter Winter Luncheon at Cactus Willie’s in Westminster, Maryland.

February 21, 2010: Regular meeting of the Mason-Dixon Chapter at the Bear Branch Nature Center, in Westminster, Maryland, beginning at 2:00 PM (directions). Program: a “Round Table” discussion covering all aspects of azaleas and rhododendrons and any other related subjects. Unless otherwise noted, all our meetings are open to the public.

March 12-14, 2010: Maryland Home & Garden Show, Timonium. MD. The Mason-Dixon Chapter's booth in the Horticulture Hall once again introduces everyone to the wonders of the rhododendron world, with a display garden presenting azaleas and rhododendrons (hopefully) in bloom many weeks before their normal flowering time. Members are on hand throughout the show to answer (or at least try to answer) all your rhododendron questions and some of your general gardening questions as well.

March 20-21, 2010: The Mason-Dixon Chapter's traveling garden display moves to the Frederick County Home Show at the Frederick County Fairgrounds in Frederick, Maryland.

March 28, 2010: Potomac Valley Chapter, American Rhododendron Society, meeting at the National Arboretum, Washington, DC. Program: Tom Ahern, "Rhododendrons of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country."

April 10-11, 2010: Carroll County Home Show, Carroll County Agricultural Center, Westminster, Maryland. Mason-Dixon Chapter members are available during the show to answer your gardening questions.

April 18, 2010: Regular meeting of the Mason-Dixon Chapter at the Bear Branch Nature Center, in Westminster, Maryland, with the program beginning at 2:00 PM (directions). Flower Show with early blooming rhododendrons and azaleas. Program: John Doppel, Lehigh Valley Chapter, ARS, on his hybrid rhododendrons. Unless otherwise noted, all our meetings are open to the public.

April 24, 2010: Potomac Valley Chapter, ARS, flower show at the National Arboretum, Washington, DC.

May 2, 2010: Springfest, Charlotte's Quest Nature Center, Manchester, MD. Mason-Dixon Chapter members will have a booth to answer your garden questions.

May 8-9, 2010: The annual Mason-Dixon Chapter Show & Sale at the Carroll County Ag Center, Westminster, Maryland. Open Saturday, May 8, from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM, and on Sunday, May 9, from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Rhododendrons, azaleas, and numerous companion plants, such as hostas and other perennials, will be offered for sale by the chapter and selected vendors. There will also be some special items for a lovely Mothers' Day gift. For an idea of what our show and sale looks like, see our picture-filled show page.

June 19, 2010: The Potomac Valley Chapter hosts the District 9 Luncheon at Maggiano's Little Italy in McLean, Virginia. Program: Don Hyatt, "The Joe Gable Legacy," on one of the pioneers of American rhododendron hybridizing. Other activities to be announced.

July 17, 2010: Annual cutting demonstration; a hands-on seminar showing how to start rhododendrons and azaleas from cuttings. (And the same method works for many other plants as well!) Everyone will take home some pots of cuttings to grow on. New members are strongly encouraged to attend. This event is open to members only.

July 25, 2010: Annual cutting and plant auction at the Bear Branch Nature Center, 300 John Owings Road, Westminster, Maryland (directions). This is always an enjoyable meeting as members compete to purchase cuttings of a wide variety of rhododendrons and azaleas. This meeting is open to members only.