The Mason-Dixon Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society
	'Gilbert Myers' developed by Helen Myers, photo by Don Hyatt

Click here for a tribute to Ed Reiley.

The Mason-Dixon Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2006. Consisting of over one hundred members, the chapter is one of three in District 9 of the American Rhododendron Society. A number of members from that first year remain active today in a chapter recognized as one of the most active in the Rhododendron Society.

While the members are largely from the central Maryland area, or, as the weather broadcasters of this region are so fond of saying, "the normally colder northern and western suburbs," members come to the meetings from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Associate members cover an even wider geographical range. The Mason-Dixon Chapter is proud to claim 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 chapter is active throughout the year, holding meetings, workshops, and other events (2007-2008 schedule). A hybridizers group was formed in early 2006 to explore the possibilities that lie within the vast genus Rhododendron. A Plant Development Committee has recently started up, working toward increasing the variety of plants available, both to members and to the public at our annual show and sale. 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 Mason-Dixon Chapter also helps to educate the public with booths at several Maryland home and garden shows 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, March 15-16, 2008, and the Carroll County Home Show, April 5-6, 2008. Members are on hand throughout the shows to answer questions.

A number of events are held yearly, some of which are for members only. For a number of years now, we have had a winter luncheon to catch up on what's been happening. A spring garden tour highlights various member gardens. At least two hands-on events (for example, how to root your own cuttings and raising rhododendrons and azaleas from seed) are held each year. A newsletter filled with valuable insight is published quarterly. Each year, a picnic is held, wrapping up the summer's activities. In the past, the chapter has organized a bus tour to Longwood Gardens outside Philadelphia, and future trips are under consideration.

In 2008, our annual Show and Sale will return to Westminster, at the Carroll County Ag Center on Mother's Day weekend, May 10-11. Azaleas, rhododendrons, and companion plants, such as hollies, hostas, and other perennials will be available for purchase. More details as well as some pictures of past events are available here.

Our educational programs are held primarily in the fall and spring months at the Bear Branch Nature Center north of Westminster, Maryland (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 Gears on native azaleas in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, Jim Sullivan, president of the Bowie Bonsai Club and past president of the Potomac Bonsai Association on rhododendrons and azaleas as bonsai, our own Ed Reiley on hybridizing rhododendrons, Jane Goodrich of the Potomac Valley Chapter of the ARS on the hybridizing work 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. Our regular meetings are open to everyone.

If you would like more information on the Mason-Dixon Chapter or its activities, please contact Webmaster or see our 2007-2008 Schedule.

See the American Rhododendron Society for more about rhododendrons or for membership information.

We are happy to be an Amazon Associate. Many of the books cited throughout these pages are available at Amazon.com which can be reached clicking on the Amazon graphic. The Mason-Dixon Chapter receives a percentage of each sale, which is used to help support this web site.

Last modified: March 19, 2008

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