American Rhododendron Society Cape Cod Chapter

March Meeting Speaker Change

2011-03-02T07:24:00.003-05:00

Our march speaker had to cancel - it is now Sue DuBrava of Cochato Nursery who will speak on the design projects (involving stone and associated plants) in the display gardens at Cochato. Cochato Nurserys are "growers of unique perennial plants for the cutting edge gardener." They specialize in shade plants and wildflowers, dwarf and unusual species for all gardens.

Sunday, March 13 at Cape Cod Community College, South Building, Room SG8. Socialization at 1:00 p.m., meeting at 1:30.

Directions.

Rhododendron Sale (Orleans)

2011-01-30T08:50:00.003-05:00

Rhododendron Sale in Orleans Saturday, May 7
The Cape Cod Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is holding their spring sale of hardy rhododendrons and azaleas in Orleans on Saturday, May 7th. This year’s sale focuses on a wide large selection of young, rare and unusual rhododendrons sure to please plant collectors. The sale will be held rain or shine from 8 am to 1pm at the Nauset Regional Middle School.

For questions regarding the plant sale, please contact Larry Pannell at 508-888-9780. For information on joining the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, please contact Judith Shay at 508-255-6045.

There will be quite a selection of member raised herbs, perennials and ornamental grasses as well at this sale.

Rhododendron Sale (Orleans)

2010-04-30T15:28:00.000-05:00

Saturday, May 8
The Cape Cod Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is holding their spring sale of hardy rhododendrons and azaleas in Orleans on Saturday, May 8th. This year’s sale includes a large selection of well-known, reliable favorites in a range of sizes, as well as a limited quantity of young rare and unusual rhododendrons sure to please plant collectors. The sale will be held rain or shine from 8 am to noon at the village green on Rt. 28 between the library and the Nauset Regional Middle School. For questions regarding the plant sale, please contact Larry Pannell at 508-888-9780. For information on joining the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, please contact Judith Shay at 508/255.6045. There will be quite a selection of member raised perennials as well at each sale.

Rhododendron Sale (Sandwich)

2010-04-30T15:27:00.001-05:00

Saturday, May 15
The Cape Cod Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is holding their spring sale of hardy rhododendrons and azaleas in Sandwich on Saturday May 15th. This year’s sale includes a large selection of well-known, reliable favorites in a range of sizes, as well as a limited quantity of young rare and unusual rhododendrons sure to please plant collectors. The sale will be held rain or shine from 8 am to 1 pm on Rt. 6A directly across from the fish hatchery. For questions regarding the plant sale, please contact Larry Pannell at 508-888-9780. For information on joining the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, please contact Judith Shay at 508/255.6045. There will be quite a selection of member raised perennials as well at each sale.

Christmas Party Cancelled

2009-12-06T16:51:00.002-05:00

The Christmas party at Doug Cassell and Ann Devenish's house has been cancelled
due to lack of RSVP. The entertainment and caterer have been cancelled. We
hope you have a great holiday season and look forward to seeing you all in
January.

DOUG

Program Change

2009-11-04T17:03:00.005-05:00

Sunday, November 8

We have a change to our program for November. We have secured Dick and Judith Tyler of Pine Knot Farms in Virginia with a talk on "Gardening with Hellebores" for the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society on Sunday, Nov 8. Refreshments and socialization will start at 1:00 PM, in the lobby, with the business meeting starting at 1:30 followed by the program. All guests are welcome.

You'll find directions to the meeting on our chapter web site.

Annual Meeting and Luncheon

2009-04-07T10:19:00.003-05:00

Just a reminder that the April 19th Meeting and Luncheon is shaping up very nicely. Our Speaker, Andrew Bunting, will talk about the "Legacy of Rhododendrons at the Scott Arboretum focusing on the work Of Dr. Wister". If you need to make reservations just email or call Dan Pessoni or Judith Shay. We'll plan on getting the business meeting done fairly quickly and we'll have some great plants for sale as well.

We have 3 positions to fill on the Board this year and we need to find a replacement for our great publicity chairperson as well. We also need to fill the Presidency, in this case, for a one year term, not the normal two, so that all the officers fulfill their function at the end of June next year. If you are interested in any one of those positions -please call Doug Cassell as soon as possible.

Drivers Needed!

2009-01-24T16:22:00.000-05:00

The Annual Plant Sale is Coming Up

Plant Sales: Saturday May 9th in Orleans and Saturday May 16th in Sandwich! We need drivers to help transport plants on and before the sales dates, help with setup on sales day, help customers select plants, assist with loading plants into customer's vehicles, etc. This is a great opportunity for club members to acquire choice plants for their own gardens. Remember to bring the plants you dug up to sell (repotted of course!).

Sally & John Perkins - National Convention

2009-01-03T14:03:00.001-05:00

Sunday, January 11

Sally and John will give a presentation the 2008 Annual Convention held in District 11, Tulsa, Oklahoma. April 16-19. Wonderful pictures of special plants, gardens and the people.

Join us Sunday, January 11 at at Cape Cod Community College, South Building, Room SG8 to hear their speech. You'll find directions to the meeting on our chapter web site.

Jeannie Gillis - Hybridization and Heritage Plantation

2008-11-04T18:02:00.001-05:00

Sunday, November 9

Meet Jeannie Gillis from Heritage Plantation, which is located in Sandwich Ma. It is the home of the Dexter and Coles Rhododendrons and a day-lily, hosta, heather and new hydrangea collection. Jeannie has been associated with the museum for over thirty years and is now Director of Horticulture at the Heritage Plantation. Jeannie will speak on: “Hybridization and history of the Dexter and Coles Collection and also on the Sandwich Club work and its contribution to the Plantation.”

Join us Sunday, November 9 at Cape Cod Community College, South Building, Room SG8 to hear Jeannie's speech. You'll find directions to the meeting on our chapter web site.

Mal Condon - Hydrangeas

2008-10-03T08:19:00.001-05:00

Sunday, October 12

Mal Condon from the Nantucket Hydrangea Farm Nursery. Mal is a retired engineer and lifelong gardener who is active in the American Hydrangea Society and associated with the Hydrangea Farm Nursery. Mal has been propagating and growing hydrangeas for the past 20 years and grows an eclectic selection or more than 1,000 named hydrangeas. He will speak on: “New and Old Hydrangeas and their care.”

Join us Sunday, October 12 at 2:00 p.m. at Cape Cod Community College, South Building, Room SG8 to hear Mal's speech. You'll find directions to the meeting on our chapter web site.

Jeff Forinash - New and Old Azalea Varieties

2008-09-07T22:16:00.001-05:00

Sunday, September 14

Girard's nursery has been in business for 60 years always offering new and improved varieties. It is located in Geneva, Ohio. Our speaker will be Jeff Forinash on "New and Old Azalea varieties."

Join us Sunday, September 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Cape Cod Community College, South Building, Room SG8 to hear Jeff's speech. You'll find directions to the meeting on our chapter web site.

Plant Tours and Picnic

2008-04-30T12:03:00.002-05:00

Saturday, June 7

Come visit Robert & Audrey Furman's garden at 42 Great Fields Rd., Brewster, (10:00 a.m.); Connie & Dick LeClair's garden at 32 Pochet Rd., East Orleans (11:30 a.m.) and Picnic at the Display Garden (12:30).

Bring sandwich and chair; drinks and dessert provided!

Plant Sales

2008-04-30T11:59:00.005-05:00

Saturday, May 10 and Saturday, May 17

Saturday May 10 in Orleans and Saturday May 17 in Sandwich. We need everyone to get out and help; and buy.

Remember to bring any dug up plants, repotted to sell.

Summaries Added to Library List

2008-04-05T16:22:00.005-05:00

On the web site

You'll now find summaries for many of the library books with more to follow. We have also now listed the other printed materials available for members to check out -- pamphlets and worksheets.

Annual Dinner

2008-03-13T10:30:00.004-05:00

Sunday, April 13

Hope you all can come and enjoy the Dinner!

Tom Ward - Woodland Plants

2008-03-03T16:11:00.003-05:00

Sunday, March 9

Tom Ward is the Greenhouse Manager of the Arnold Arboretum which is a research and educational institute in Boston, MA. Tom has a degree in Botany from the University of Massachusetts.

Join us Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. at Cape Cod Community College, Grossman Commons Building, Room C106 to hear Tom's speech. You'll find directions to the meeting on our chapter web site.

George Reilly - Restoration Gardens

2008-02-06T15:47:00.000-05:00

Sunday, February 10, 2008

George Reilly is the owner of Land Design Associates in Orleans. His special interest is restoring the gardens of our historic Cape Cod houses to their original design and beauty.

Join us Sunday, February 10, at 2:00 p.m. at Cape Cod Community College, Grossman Commons Building, Room C106 to hear George on this interesting topic. You'll find directions to the meeting on our chapter web site.

Sally & John Perkins - 2006 National Convention

2008-01-03T12:48:00.000-05:00

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Sally and John will give a presentation on the 2006 National Convention held in San Francisco, CA (April 12th - 15th), also including wonderful pictures of special plants, garden, and people. For those of you new to the group, John and Sally have been perennials (as people not plants), usually at this time of year and are extremely active in the Mass Chapter.

Join us Sunday, January 13 at 2:00 p.m. at Cape Cod Community College, Grossman Commons Building, Room C106 to hear Sally and John speak. You'll find directions to the meeting on our chapter web site.

Annual Chapter Christmas Party

2007-11-28T23:05:00.000-05:00

Sunday, December 9, 2007

The Annual Chapter Christmas Party will be held from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 9 at the home of John and Wynn Palmisano. It is potluck so you should have already notified Wynn about your contribution!

We anticipate 35 guests or more. A guaranteed good time for all -- entertainment, raffles and good food!

See the December newsletter for directions.

Speaker Change

2007-11-06T16:01:00.000-05:00

November 11, 2007

Ron Rabideau had to cancel, but we have arranged for a new speaker for our November 11 meeting.

Jack Alexander is a Horticulturist and Chief Propagator in the Dana Greenhouses at the Arnold Arboretum. His specialty is lilacs and he will speak about his new hybrid and the work of hybridizing lilacs at the Arnold Arboretum. Jack will also remind us of the best lilacs for our area.

Ron Rabideau - New and Noteworthy Plants

2007-11-01T11:27:00.000-05:00

November 11, 2007

Ron is General Manager of "rareFindnursery." He has a BS in Plant and Soil Science and has participated in seed collection expeditions to China, Tibet and India.

Join us Sunday, November 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Cape Cod Community College, Grossman Commons Building, Room C106 to hear Ron speak. You'll find directions to the meeting on our chapter web site.

October Meeting Cancelled

2007-10-09T15:30:00.000-05:00

Due to construction at Cape Cod Community College, our October 14 meeting with Mal Condon has been cancelled. The electricity will be off in our building during the construction period. As of this time, we are unable to reschedule Mal.

Mal Condon - "Hydrangeas"

2007-10-01T15:15:00.000-05:00

October 14, 2007

Mal Condon has been propagating and growing hydrangeas for the last twenty years. He established Hydrangea Farm Nursery in 1999 jointly with Frank Dutra of Nantucket Hydrangeas and grows an eclectic selection of more than 1,000 named hydrangeas.

Join us Sunday, October 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Cape Cod Community College, Grossman Commons Building, Room C106 to hear Mal speak on hydrangeas. You'll find directions to the meeting on our chapter web site.

September Meeting Recap

2007-09-12T15:34:00.000-05:00

Wayne Mezitt of Weston Nurseries

Wayne Mezitt's talk was a greatly enjoyable combination discussion of Weston's history, introductions, and informal give and take.

Weston's historic development concepts focused on New England (Zone 5 or colder), improved flowering and foliage (particularly in winter), improved or compact habit. They sought to extend the season of interest or satisfy unfulfilled landscaping needs. Of course, they sought low maintenance and pest/disease resistance, and easy propagation and home grower friendliness.

Wayne Mezitt - "Hybridizing"

2007-09-02T15:48:00.000-05:00

September 9, 2007

R. Wayne Mezitt, a third generation nurseryman and Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist, is now Chairman of Weston Nurseries, Hopkington, MA. He has served as president of numerous state and national nursery and landscaping associations.

Join us Sunday, September 9, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Cape Cod Community College, Grossman Commons Building, Room C106. Wayne will discuss hybridizing with the group. You'll find directions to the meeting on our chapter web site.

Message from Chapter President, Doug Cassell

2007-09-01T16:44:00.000-05:00

“I just finished planting all my new rhododendron dell paths - no more paths” I proudly announced to my wife this spring. She gave me that indulgent smile all wives seem to be born with and calmly asked, “That’s nice dear, where are you going to put the 20 you just brought home from Plants for Members?” ---All right--- so maybe I need to rethink my statement!!!

Well, that is the way with Rhododendrons for some of us. We find and travel a path and think we’re done only to find another becomes obvious. For example, we may not hybridize rhododendrons like some club members do because of space issues. We may not try and grow them from seeds like some members do. We may not even try to take cuttings and donate them to Plants for Members. However, we see a picture of new silver foliage on a species and begin to ponder, ummh, we wonder, could we grow species and miniatures in our gardens?

We all join the Rhododendron Society for different reasons – each of us seeking our own path. Thankfully, we can offer ARS journal stories, club newsletters and research on a myriad of subjects. We have a book library for loan and a collection of how –to “tip” sheets. Each month, Sept –April we are enriched with wide ranging programs on our main subject of interest. And best of all, we have many club members, each with different interests and depths of subject knowledge.

So, fellow members, welcome to the 2007-2008 travel along our respective paths. I am again honored to be the President of the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. I look forward to the coming year and our once a month meetings and speakers, each with related presentations (see enclosed date and topic information).

Membership and education remain important missions for the club. Last year we began to tackle the collection of club history and that will continue in the coming year. We also began to wrestle with the logic of creating a web site for members. I hope that this year we will see major steps forward in both areas. I also hope to extend the community’s awareness of some of our offerings this year. Along that vein, I challenge each member to befriend old and new gardeners let them know about the chapter.

In the following pages you will see the list of the chapter’s committees, officers and board. If you aren’t involved in one of those areas, take some time this year to learn more about an area that might interest you next year. We have position descriptions and committee details available. Most importantly as we go through the year, send your ideas to me at the enclosed email address.

Don’t overlook the opportunity to add to or trade some of your collection by focusing on our club’s plant sales in May 08, the Van Veen order midyear, the annual dinner auction, Plants for Members (if you belong to the MA chapter) and the occasional stray plant that might wander into our meetings looking for a home!

Enjoy the path you select to travel this year and don’t forget to take time and smell the rhododendrons!