Nanaimo Rhododendron Society Annual Plant and Truss Show

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Saturday, May 11th, 2013
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

The Nanaimo Rhododendron Society (NRS) was established in September 1992. It is affiliated with the American Rhododendron Society, and is one of seven chapters in British Columbia, including four others on Vancouver Island and two more in the Lower Mainland.

The purpose of the Society is to introduce members and the public to rhododendrons through meetings, garden tours, and flower shows and to provide an opportunity to meet people with similar interests.

The annual plant and flower show is just one small step taken by the society to foster the interest in gardening, flowers, rhododendron, fitness and wellness. It is a great community gathering event where people interested in flowers and gardens can gather to talk about their rhodos.

The event provides the public an opportunity to buy select high quality rhododendrons. The funds raised help the society to sponsor other events during the year and to help sustain the NRS Awards to students at Vancouver Island University.

This past September the Nanaimo Rhododendron Society hosted the American Rhododendron Society's Western Regional Conference. The conference was a complete sell out, Nanaimo enjoyed the benefits of having 250 rhodo enthusiasts in town touring the city, enjoying the sights and sounds of Vancouver Island and just generally taking in the lectures and discussions offered at the conference. It was truly an event for "Rhodos in Paradise".

Spring time is a great time to enjoy and plant rhodos so come down to see what the society has to offer and perhaps you can walk away with a few prized specimens for your garden. The show is for everyone to enjoy.

Our regular monthly meetings include a guest speaker who typically gives a slide show on some aspect of gardening. Members share their experience on how to grow rhododendrons in our climate, including choice of plants, use of fertilizers, pruning, preparing flower trusses for shows, taking cuttings, grafting and growing from seed. Every meeting includes a door prize, a rhododendron raffle, a coffee break where members can mingle, and usually a plant table selling donated rooted cuttings and small plants.

Annual membership rates are $40 for an individual and $45 for family. Associates who are members of another chapter pay $15. Members receive a free name tag, a monthly newsletter as well as the Journal of the American Rhododendron Society, which is published quarterly.

In December, the regular meeting is replaced by a Christmas party and auction. In June we have a garden picnic. There are no meetings in July and August. The Society maintains an extensive library of reference books on rhododendrons and on gardening subje