Mason-Dixon Chapter Schedule


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

February 20, 2011: Regular meeting of the Mason-Dixon Chapter at the Bear Branch Nature Center, in Westminster, Maryland, beginning at 2:00 PM (directions). Norm Beaudry, chairman of the ARS Seed Exchange committee, on the Dexter rhododendrons and the Sandwich Club. Unless otherwise noted, all our meetings are open to the public.

March 11-13, 2011: 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 12, 2011: Ben Morrison Chapter, Azalea Society of America, meeting at the Cheverly United Methodist Church. Don Hyatt on native azaleas.

March 19-20, 2011: The Mason-Dixon Chapter's traveling garden display moves to the Frederick County Home Show at the Frederick County Fairgrounds in Frederick, Maryland.

March 27, 2011: Potomac Valley Chapter, ARS, meeting at the National Arboretum. Barbara Bullock on designing with azaleas.

April 9-10, 2011: 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 17, 2011: 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: TBD. Unless otherwise noted, all our meetings are open to the public.

April 26, 2011: Multiple chapters of the American Rhododendron Society and the Azalea Society of America will meet at the National Arboretum to see the early Glenn Dale azaleas in bloom. With luck, they should be at or near their peak at this time

April 28-May 1, 2011: Azalea Society of America convention in Evansville, Indiana.

May 7-8, 2011: The annual Mason-Dixon Chapter Show & Sale at the Carroll County Ag Center, Westminster, Maryland. Open Saturday, May 7, from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM, and on Sunday, May 8, from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM. This year we will be holding a joint show with the Potomac Valley Chapter. Rhododendrons, azaleas, and numerous companion plants, such as hollies, hostas, and other perennials, will be offered for sale by the chapters and selected vendors. There will also be some special items for a lovely Mother's Day gift. For an idea of what the show and sale looks like, see our picture-filled show page.

May 11-15, 2011: The American Rhododendron Society's annual convention will be held at the Heathman Lodge, Vancouver Washington.

July 23, 2011: 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.

July 31, 2011: 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. There are also a number of plants up for auction.

October 1-2, 2011: Carroll County Fall Home Show, Carroll County Agricultural Center, Westminster, Maryland. Mason-Dixon Chapter members are available during the show to answer your gardening questions.

October 15, 2011: Mason-Dixon's 30th Anniversary Luncheon at Best Western, Westminster, Maryland. Ed Reiley Memorial Speaker, Don Hyatt. (There will not be a regular October meeting in 2011.)

November 6, 2011: Mason-Dixon Chapter meeting at the Bear Branch Nature Center, 300 John Owings Road, Westminster, Maryland, beginning at 2:00 PM (directions). Unless otherwise noted, all our meetings are open to the public.