Feb. 15
Sunday
2026
1:30 PM

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society Meeting, Uwchlan Meeting House, 3 N Village Ave, Exton, PA.
Arrive between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m.

We continued our tradition of having our February meeting at the historic Uwchlan Quaker meeting house.

Annual Meeting At Uwchlan Meeting House:
Pam Morris Olshefksi of Morris Arboretum:
"Great Native Plants for Your Landscape."

From amelanchier to viburnum, there are many great native plants you can use to enhance your garden. Through pictures and word, Ms. Morris Olshefski described the many good choices, the conditions they require to grow, and how to successfully work them into your landscape. Ms. Morris Olshefski focuse on woody plants that provide seasonal interest with attractive flowers, fruit, fall color, and bark texture. She also discussed good native plant cultivars that have been bred for appealing garden traits.

Ms. Morris Olshefski is Plant Records and Living Collections Manager at Morris Arboretum, where natives and exotics live in apparent harmony. She received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Biology from Albright College. She has been with Morris Arboretum for 25 years. Prior to being the Plant Collectons Manager, she served as the Natural Lands Manager.

Directions to Uwchlan Meeting House, 5 N. Village Ave., Exton, PA

Nov. 16
Sunday
2025

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society Banquet, St. Davids Golf Club, 845 Radnor Street Rd, Wayne, PA 19087. Cocktails and conviviality begin at noon, with buffet luncheon beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Andrew Bunting
Program: "Favorite Rhododendrons from 40 Years in Public Horticulture"

Andrew Bunting, Vice President of Horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will present many of his favorite rhododendrons while working at the Scott Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Garden and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, as well as observations from his horticultural travels around the world. In his early years at the Scott Arboretum Bunting was influenced by the Wister legacy. Many of the Wister selections and cultivars will be showcased.

Andrew Bunting is Vice President of Horticulture and leads the utilization of planting and design to promote environmentally sound gardening practices at PHS. Andrew received his B.S. in Plant and Soil Science from Southern Illinois University. Prior to arriving at PHS, Andrew worked at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Chanticleer Garden, and the Scott Arboretum for a tenure of 27 years. He has received the American Public Gardens Association's Professional Citation, Chanticleer Scholarship in Professional Development, and the Certificate of Merit from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. He also serves on the Board of Magnolia Society International. Andrew published his first book in 2015, "The Plant Lover’s Guide to Magnolias." Andrew enjoys bird watching, travel and, of course, gardening in his own garden in Swarthmore.

There will be no plant exchange at the banquet. That will be rescheduled.

You can download the invitation & registration form at:

Oct. 19
Sunday

2025

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society Meeting, at Tyler Arboretum, Edible-Garden Building, 515 Painter Rd, Media, PA.

Speaker: George Woodard

“Big As My Head: My Legacy”

Location: Tyler Arboretum, Edible-Garden Building, 515 Painter Rd, Media, PA.

PowerPoint File of George's Program

PDF File of George's Program

George Woodard served as Superintendent of the Howard Phipps Jr. Estate in Old Westbury, NY (Long Island), for four decades. In November 2024, after the property was sold, George retired and relocated to Lancaster, PA.

The estate was renowned for its horticultural legacy, its botanic collections, particularly the rhododendron collection and hybridization efforts begun by Howard Phipps Sr. George carried this legacy forward for 32 years, advancing the rhododendron hybridization program.

Utilizing the estate’s resources, George focused on expanding the genetic diversity of the rhododendron genus. His work aimed to create new hybrids featuring larger flowers, trusses with higher flower counts, and deeply saturated colors that were uncommon in existing varieties. He also sought to develop compact plants with attractive foliage and improved winter hardiness.

George studied Design and Plant Genetics at Cornell University. He is a member of Horus and a noted horticulturist and garden designer. He ran the ARS Seed Exchange for six years. He is also a longtime student of Tibetan Buddhism.

Sep. 21
Sunday
2025

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society’s Plants-By-Members sale.at Jenkins Arboretum, 631 Berwyn Baptist Road, Devon, PA, rain or shine.

The best way to get gardens of diverse and choice and rare cultivars is to attend the annual Plants By Members sale.

The Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society's propagation team, headed by Karel Bernady, annually acquires cuttings from the gardens of accomplished ARS members. They are prepped and rooted and come to market each September.

There were year-old rooted cuttings in small pots for $5 each, as well as grown-on plants in gallon pots for larger prices. Varieties you've never seen for sale anywhere are among the choices. All are appropriate for the local climate.

You can download the two lists of plants that are available for the 2025 Plants by Members sale:

The Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society has an extensive propagation program. Most plants are propagated from cuttings, but some varieties that are hard to root are grafted. A wide variety of plants produced from this program are sold to members and guests. Rooted cuttings and 2-year grafts will be available. As part of this effort members are invited to participate in the Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society propagation workshops.

Thursday,
Aug. 7

and

Friday,
Aug. 22
2025

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society Propagation Workday at Steven Kristoph Nursery (no sign), 9 Roberts Rd, Millstone, NJ, in central New Jersey. Please contact Karel Bernady in advance: 484-888-8244 or bernadk @verizon.net.

Plant Propagation Workdays

Karel Bernady scheduled two works days for sticking new cuttings: Thursday, August 7, and Friday, August 22, at Steve Kristoph's. Those who have never propagated cuttings are particularly encouraged to take part – you’ll learn best techniques (Karel’s rooting success is storied) and there’s always plenty of rhododendron tidbits in the conversation around the work table. The workday starts at 9 a.m. (late arrival is fine) and takes place, rain or shine, at the Steven Kristoph Nursery in the middle of New Jersey (a quick few miles from Exit 8 of the New Jersey Turnpike).

If you are planning on attending please contact Karel at 484 888 8244. You can either bring your own lunch or go out for lunch. Feel free to bring a friend. If you do, please let Karel know.

Directions to Steven Kristoph Nursery. Take New Jersey to Exit 8 Hightstown/Freehold. Go east on Route 33 towards Freehold for 5.5 miles. Turn right onto Smithburg Rd/Woodville Rd and go 1.3 miles and then right onto Roberts Rd. Go 0.1 mile and turn left at 9 Roberts Rd to Steven Kristoph Nursery.

Aug. 17
Sunday
2025

If you’re bringing donations, arrive as early as 1:00 and stroll the Jenkins grounds. The event begins at 2:00. Cash, checks or credit cards will be accepted.

District 8 Rhododendron & Azalea Cutting Exchange and Plant Auction, Jenkins Arboretum, 631 Berwyn Baptist Road, Devon, PA, rain or shine.

Thanks to those who bring donations for the cutting exchange and plant auction.

In 2024, the plant auction raised $1,538 which benefit ARS Endowment Fund and ARS Research Foundation.

CUTTINGS: Please donate cuttings! Preferably in the morning, take 6-inch cuttings of elepidote new growth, 4- to 6-inch cuttings of lepidotes and evergreen azaleas. Place each cultivar in a separate zipper-style plastic bag, add several drops of water, and refrigerate. Clearly label the bag with the cultivar and your name. No "unknown" varieties, please.
When the cuttings go on sale, they are $1 a bag. As in dirt cheap. You do the propagating.

Cuttings are an easy and inexpensive way to increase one’s collection of azaleas and rhododendrons.

PLANT AUCTION: After the cutting sale, Karel Bernady will reprise his role as auctioneer of an unpredictable array of donated plants, including rhododendrons, azaleas, other worthy woodies, and nifty perennials. Members are encouraged to donate plants for the auction, but some selections from the chapter's propagation program will be available also.

IMPORTANT Donors of plants for the auction (rhodo, woody or herbaceous) should provide a written description of each plant, touting its greatness and noting any special needs. The auctioneer needs this info to get the bids up, and the winning bidder will be most grateful.

FOOD:You are encouraged to bring snacking items - sweet or savory. The chapter will provide drinking water.

June 29
Sunday
2025

This year we have the great delight of gathering and conducting our (brief) institutional ritual at Chanticleer, which uses the moniker “a pleasure garden.” If you've never been to Chanticleer, you are in for quite a visual feast. Once the estate of the Rosengarten family (Marck pharmaceuticals, big bucks), Chanticleer became a public garden in 1993. Unlike the trend these days for native plants and naturalistic setting, Chanticleer goes for sumptuous gusto, with lush ensembles of both hardy and tender plants. Visit this website for an introduction: www.chanticleergarden.org

Meeting details: Please carpool and RSVP! 20 parking spots have been reserved for DVRS. Tell the garden staff that you're part of the Rhododendron Society and you will be directed to our site (a charming conservatory near the parking lot). The chapter will provide sandwiches and beverages. You are encouraged to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert.

We'll gather around 1 p.m. At 1:30, staff horticulturalist Przemek Walczak will answer questions and point out highlights of early summer in this garden. Trophies from the May truss show will be bestowed on the winning gardeners. In the Annual Meeting segment, members will vote to fill four positions whose terms are expiring: president and three directors.

The chapter is covering your admission fee. Parking is at a premium - please RSVP and please carpool. Please RSVP to Maris Ogg at maris.ogg@fiduciary-trust.com.

Limited parking is reserved for our group - just tell them you are attending the ARS event in the Greenhouse pavilion.

Order of activities:

Gather, convivialize, have an appetizer.
Annual meeting and election.
Lunch
Presentation of truss show trophies
Dessert

June 5-8
2025

American Rhododendron Society Convention in Wolfville, Nova Scotia

American Rhododron Society Convention

Join us in Nova Scotia, Canada for the American Rhododendron Society Convention, “Emerging Trends for Rhododendrons” in Wolfville, a town known for its beauty, food and gardens.

Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to learn about growing, breeding and gardening with rhododendrons. The 2025 American Rhododendron Society Spring Convention will be offering presentations, plant sale, garden tours, and networking opportunities!

Speakers include Dr. Hartwig Schepker of the Rhododendron Park and Botanical Garden in Bremen, Connor Ryan from the Holden Forests and Gardens, and Joe Bruso President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society.

Garden tours will include the Kentville Research Centre as well as private gardens. Networking opportunities will include the Breeder’s Roundtable where you can hear about the latest trends in rhodo breeding, and social events that feature the seafood, cider and wine from our local producers.

To see more of the rhododendron gardens of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick join us for a five day, four night pre convention coach tour of the gardens of Halifax and South Western Nova Scotia and a five day, four night post convention coach tour of gardens in New Brunswick and northern Nova Scotia.

Jim Sharpe, Co-Chair for the Nova Scotia Convention assures us that American gardeners are very much welcome in Canada and he personally looks forward to welcoming us. For more details and to register go to https://ars2025.org/

May 24
Saturday
2:00 PM
2025

Garden tour at Barbara Tiffany's Mill Fleur garden. Barbara will lead the tour at 2PM

The Gardens at Mill Fleurs is a private collection garden. It specializes in against-the-grain horticulture! Since it is not always apparent what rules we are breaking, we take the time to personally guide people through the gardens.

The garcen includes the Yellow Conifer Garden, The Rhododendron Drive, The Cascades, the Bronze Border, The Blue Rocks, The Lawn Gardens... ending in the Ice House with home-made refreshments.

Since Barbara Tiffany will lead a walking tour, we need to be on time, and we also need a rough headcount. The address is 27 Cafferty Road, Point Pleasant, PA. This is north of New Hope - be sure you allow enough time to drive there.

Please RSVP to Maris Ogg at maris.ogg@fiduciarytrust.com. Some folks are planning a group lunch at restaurant in the area; definitely RSVP to Maris for that.

There is parking on the grass, and at the barn on the left side going north on Cafferty Road, just north of the drive to Mill Fleurs. They suggest we car pool as much as possible.

Click for The Gardens at Mill Fleurs website.

May 10
Saturday
2025

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society Flower Show at Jenkins Arboretum

On Mother’s Day weekend we hold our Rhododendron & Azalea Flower Show at Jenkins. The trusses are entered in groupings of similar plants. They are judged and ribbons and trophies are presented.

Click for 2025 Entry Rules and Essential Information

Click for 2025 Catalogue of Previous Entries

May 7-9 2025

Azaleas Society of America Convention in Malvern, PA

Azaleas Society of America Meets in Malvern

The Azalea Society of America 2025 National Convention was held in the Philadelphia region from May 7th through May 9th. The tagline “History and Horticulture” could not be more appropriate as the region is loaded with both. The historic sites go well beyond Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. In fact, there are more than 1,200 properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Philadelphia and its four surrounding counties! Philadelphia is also the birthplace of American botany and home to John Bartram’s garden, created nearly 300 years ago. Bartram’s legacy lives on as the Philadelphia countryside is now peppered with dozens of beautiful gardens, both public and private. With more than 35 public gardens within 30 miles of Philadelphia, the region has been dubbed “America’s Garden Capital”. As the host of the Convention, Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens was excited to invite everyone for a few days to explore some of these great destinations.

The Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PA was the home base. This beautiful, award-winning hotel sits in the middle of Philadelphia’s historic countryside with easy access to Valley Forge National Historical Park and Brandywine Battlefield, and a short distance to all our trip destinations. Reservations will include free parking, a local shuttle, complimentary wi-fi and a free hot breakfast each morning.

80 rooms were reserved for this event with the special Convention rate of $169. In addition, 20 rooms were blocked with that rate for Tuesday night for any early arrivals as well as Saturday night for those wishing to extend their stay. Blocked guestrooms were released Tuesday, April 8th.

May
2-4
Fri-Sun
2025

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society Rhododendron Plant Sale at Tyler Arboretum.

Saturday and Sunday, May 2-4, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., 515 Painter Road, Media, Pa. 19063.

Friday is Tyler-members-only; to join go to: https://tylerarboretum.org/membership

Click for Pictures & Descriptions of DVRS Sale Plants

Don’t miss our public Annual Plant Sales the first weekend each May at Tyler Arboretum. Here you can find those hard-to-get rhododendrons, azaleas and companion plants for your garden. The plants you are looking for, and many you have not seen before, are probably there, and the price cannot be beat!

April
24-27
Fri-Sun
2025

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society Rhododendron Plant Sale at Jenkins Arboretum.

Friday thru Sunday, April 25-27, 631 Berwyn-Baptist Road, Devon, Pa. 19333, from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM each day

Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 Pm, is a pre-ticketed party and sale with limited capacity, so advance reservations are necessary.

Click for Pictures & Descriptions of DVRS Sale Plants

Don’t miss our public Annual Plant Sales each spring at Jenkins Arboretum and Tyler Arboretum. Here you can find those hard-to-get rhododendrons, azaleas and companion plants for your garden. The plants you are looking for, and many you have not seen before, are probably there, and the price cannot be beat!

Join us for our exclusive opening night party! Get first dibs on plants while enjoying an open bar and hors d'oeuvres with other plant enthusiasts. Jenkins Arboretum and DVARS Members receive a discount on tickets. Thursday Tickets

Apr. 7 & 8
2025

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society Propagation Workday at Steven Kristoph Nursery (no sign), 9 Roberts Rd, Millstone, NJ, in central New Jersey.

Plant Propagation Workday

Help Karel Bernady and the Propagation Committee repot cuttings of incomparable rareness and desirability for spring plant sales at Tyler and Jenkins Arboretums. Those who have never propagated cuttings are particularly encouraged to take part and there’s always plenty of rhododendron tips and lore in the conversation around the worktable. The workdays begin at 9 a.m. (late arrival is fine) and take place, rain or shine, at the Steven Kristoph Nursery in the middle of New Jersey (a quick few miles from Exit 8 of the New Jersey Turnpike).

April 6
Sunday
2025

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society Meeting, Jenkins Arboretum.

Heather Titanich: "Community Forestry""

Heather Titanich was an intern at Tyler & an Educational Fellow at Jenkins. In her presentation she will discuss her work in community forestry, the importance of forested watersheds & her research trials in planting & maintaining forested riparian buffers.

Heather is the Watershed Restoration Coordinator at Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, PA. Heather’s background is centered around connecting people with plants, including working in public horticulture and urban forestry. She has a passion for supporting equitable access to green spaces and conserving forest resources. She works with landowners to establish conservation practices to improve the quality of nearby streams, such as planting and maintaining riparian buffers. In her free time, Heather enjoys going on hikes and mycological forays.

She received her B.S.from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, with a major in environmental resource management and a minor in urban forestry.

Previously she was Community forester at Delaware Center for Horticulture in Wilmington, DE, from 2021–2023. Prior to that she was the Dorrance H. Hamilton educational fellow at Jenkins Arboretum from 2019–2021; Native orchid research intern at Mt. Cuba Center in 2018; Dendrology teaching assistant at Virginia Tech in 2018; and Horticulture Intern at Tyler Arboretum in 2018.

Mar. 16
2025

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society Meeting, Tyler Arboretum Edible Garden Building, 515 Painter Rd, Media, PA

Meeting at Tyler Arboretum

Our speaker was Rowan Saroka, the Gardener of Tyler's Historic Wister Rhododendron Garden. She did an excellent job and provided a great description on what is happening at Tyler.

Rowan has a lifelong passion for plants and a strong desire to be in nature--which is why she went into the green industry! She completed my bachelor's degree in Plant Sciences with a concentration in Horticulture to broaden her skills and knowledge of plants. Now at Tyler Arboretum she manages the historic Wister Rhododendron collection, immersed in what she loves.

Feb. 16
Sunday
2025

Delaware Valley Rhododendron Society Meeting, Uwchlan Meeting House, 3 N Village Ave, Exton, PA.

We continued our tradition of having our February meeting at the historic Uwchlan Quaker meeting house.

Annual Meeting At Uwchlan Meeting House:
Tara Spears: "Native Azaleas of North America"

Tara's presentation will be on her research on native azaleas. North America is home to many native Rhododendron section Pentanthera species, commonly referred to as native azaleas. They are primarily found in the eastern United States, but can range from Canada to California, too. This presentation explores the different species, their ranges, and popular selections.

Tara Spears is the Curatorial Assistant at Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens and works closely with their Nationally Accredited Rhododendron Collections. She recently completed her Masters in Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania where she conducted research with Rhododendron smokianum, a newly described species of Rhododendron in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tara studied R. smokianum's population distribution and genetics. On completion of her degree, Tara thru-hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, identifying Rhododendrons along the way.