Sadly, 15 years ago Hank Schannen passed away on September 16, 2009, at the age of 71. He had joined the ARS Princeton Chapter 43 years earlier in 1966. Hank’s enthusiasm for rhododendrons combined with his gregarious personality led him to visit rhododendron hybridizers as far away as the West Coast and Germany. Hank became a popular speaker not only for his knowledge and photography, but also for his down-to-earth humor.

He would say, "My idea of an erotic dream is ‘Roseum Elegans’ in twenty-one different colors."

When speaking at the Pilchuck Chapter in Washington State, after Amby Schultz introduced him, Hank stated "You did that introduction so well, I would like you to do my epitaph." Amby shot back in an instant, "Lie down and I'll start writing." Hank smiled and replied, "I won't touch that. You're too quick for me."

Hank knew how to make a point. After he founded Rare Find Nursery in Jackson, NJ, he published a catalog featuring his many favorite rhododendrons and the other plants he loved. After his passing the Catalog featured his Criteria For Success with Rhododendrons, a list which those who knew him had heard in his programs.

References:

Contributed by Steve Henning, April 1, 2024

Currently there are 1,159 distinct Rhododendron species officially recognized. But, who decides which plants are the members of genus Rhododendron? It turns out that taxonomists and botanists publish their research and propose changes in classifications, hence names. Then an official body, the International Botanical Congresses, a collaboration between The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; The Harvard University Herbaria; and The Australian National Herbarium, meets every five years to update the official list. That is the International Plant Names Index (IPNI).

Some changes added new members to genus Rhododendron:

Common Name Sand Myrtle Western Labrador Tea Marsh labrador tea Labrador Tea Wild Rosemary Mock Azalea Minniebush

Present Name Kalmia buxifolia Rhododendron columbianum Rhododendron tomentosum Rhododendron diversipilosum Rhododendron groenlandicum Rhododendron hypoleucum Rhododendron tolmachevii Rhododendron tomentosum Rhododendron tomentosum Rhododendron subulatum Rhododendron benhallii Rhododendron menziesii Rhododendron goyozanense Rhododendron katsumatae Rhododendron multiflorum Rhododendron pentandrum Rhododendron pilosum Rhododendron kroniae Rhododendron yakushimense

Former Name Ledum buxifolium Ledum columbianum Ledum decumbens Ledum diversipilosum Ledum groenlandicum Ledum hypoleucum Ledum macrophyllum Ledum maximum Ledum palustre Ledum subulatum Menziesia ciliicalyx Menziesia ferruginea Menziesia goyozanensis Menziesia katsumatae Menziesia multiflora Menziesia pentandra Menziesia pilosa Menziesia purpurea Menziesia yakushimensis

Newest members of genus Rhododendron in Pennsylvania.

Above: Rhododendron pilosa
Right: R. groenlandicum

According to the USDA Plant List, these are the rhododendron species native to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, or Maryland:

Common Name Smooth Azalea Coastal Azalea Flame Azalea Rhodora Labrador Tea Great Laurel Pinxterbloom Azalea Minniebush Roseshell Azalea Swamp Azalea

Present Name Rhododendron arborescens Rhododendron atlanticum Rhododendron calendulaceum Rhododendron canadense Rhododendron groenlandicum Rhododendron maximum Rhododendron periclymenoides Rhododendron pilosum Rhododendron prinophyllum Rhododendron viscosum

Former Name Ledum groenlandicum Rhododendron nudiflorum Menziesia pilosa Rhododendron canescens

References:

The International Plant Names Index (IPNI): https://www.ipni.org/
The World Flora Online: http://www.worldfloraonline.org/
New Plant List: https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/new-plant-list-released
USDA Plant List: https://plants.usda.gov/

Researched by Steve Henning, August 12, 2023