WILLAMETTE CHAPTERWILLAMETTE CHAPTERWILLAMETTE CHAPTER AMERICAN RHODODENDROAMERICAN RHODODENDROAMERICAN RHODODENDRON SOCIETYN SOCIETYN SOCIETY

http:members. http://www.arswillamette.org/ ARS Home Page: http://www.rhododendron.org

Meeting January 10, 2018 7:00 pm in the Carrier room (State Street entrance) of the

First Methodist Church on the corner of Church and State Streets, Salem

Speaker: Dick Cavender

African Garden and Safari Trip

ALL VISITORS WELCOME

NEWSLETTER Willamette Chapter American Rhododendron Society

Volume 13 Issue 114 , 2017

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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January 10, 2018 Dick Cavender African Garden and Safari Trip

February 14, 2018 Wally & Kathy R. New Zealand

March 14, 2018 Roger & Kathy L. Ireland

April 11, 2018 Bobbie Dolp Lord and Shryver Garden and Legacy

May 9, 2018 Pot Luck & Plant Sale

THE POTLUCK WAS AN SUCCESS AS ALWAYS HERE IS PROOF IN PICTURES

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No one went home hungry, stuffed maybe but not hungry cuz everything

Was delicious

Spring Home and Garden Show February 21-26, 2018

Portland Expo Center, Marine Drive Portland The Society will have a booth and garden at the Spring Home and Garden Show. We need people to set up the garden, staff the booth, and take down the garden. Garden setup will be Wednesday, 2-21-2018 and take down on Monday, 2-26-2018. Bring your truck or trailer on Monday and take home a free load of mulch. We will need several willing workers to stack the wall, move bark and install plants. Booth shifts will be 3 or 4 hours and I hope to have 2 people in the booth per shift. This will al-low you to take turns looking at the show during your shift. Dick will have a sign up sheet at the January & February meetings. Our staff will receive free admission. Just go to the 'will call' desk and get your hand stamped. General admission to the show is $10.00 so this will be a bargain. On site parking is $8. Sorry I can't do anything about that. However, MAX does run out to the Expo Center. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, hand out information and sign up new members. No experience necessary! Hours are 11 - 8 PM Thurs - Sat and 11 AM - 6 PM Sunday. For the best selection of time and day, call Dick Cavender at 503-625-6331 or email him at red@redsrhodies.com.

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THE SIBERIAN SAKURA

Siberia turns purple as Rhododendron blossoms from the Altai Mountains to the Far East. Picture: Alexander Tyryshkin As Japan puts on a show with its Sakura blossom, so does Siberia with these delightful colours which are native to our region. Alexander's photographs were taken in the Altai Mountains, a sign of spring and the emergence from the long winter. Rhododendron Dauricum - or Maral'nik as it is known in Siberia Rhododendron Dauricum - or Maral'nik is distrib-

uted over a wide area, from the Altai Mountains to Sakhalin Island, and also in North Mongolia, Man-churia, northeast China, Korea, and Japan. The shrub was first described by Linnaeus in 1753, apparently, and was introduced into England in 1780 from the Botanic Garden in St. Petersburg.

PREMEETING DINNER January 10, 2018 pre-Chapter Meeting dinner will be at the Ram Pub again beginning about 5:00 PM. The Ram Pub and Brewery is located at 515 12th St. SE, Salem, OR 97301, 503-363-1904, at the inter-section of 12th St. SE and Bellevue St. SE in Salem, OR. The menu is at: http://www.theram.com/menu-location/or-salem/. It is fully handicap accessible. Parking is behind the building off Bellevue St which is One Way East and off 12th St, which is One Way South, next to the Pringle Creek.

Welcome to

2018

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Hong Kong Plants Hong Kong, though small in size, is diverse in its flora. About 2,000 species of vascular plants native to Hong Kong has been recorded. More significantly, a large number of species new to science have first been discovered in Hong Kong. This is attributed to the continued efforts of plant enthusiasts in botani-cal exploration and their perseverance in conserving the local flora The Hong Kong Herbarium, since its foundation in 1878, is responsible for the collection, identification and systematic maintenance of plant specimens of Hong Kong flora. Here, we have chosen 12 notable plant species, all of which were first discovered in Hong Kong, to illustrate the elegance and beauty of our flora.

Rhododendron hongkongense Hutch. (Hong Kong Azalea)

The species was discovered in Hong Kong in 1851 but was misidentified as another species. It was de-scribed as a new species and named after Hong Kong in 1930. White to light red flowers appear in April, much more elegant than the lovely or Purple Azalea commonly cultivated in parks. However, it can only be found in Ma On Shan and a few other locations.

Impatiens hongkongensis Gery-Wilson (Hong Kong Balsam)

Discovered at Tai Po in 1925, described as a new species in 1978 and is endemic to Hong Kong so far as it is known. A perennial herb with attractive yel-low flowers. Growing in damp spots in semi-shaded positions, along stream beds and in ravines.

First discovered in 1849 when three individuals were found in a ravine in Victoria Peak. A slow growing evergreen tree native to Hong Kong. It blossoms from the late Autumn through to Spring and is the only native camellia with red flowers.

Dendrobenthamia hongkongensis (Hemsl.) Hutch.

Specimen found in 1850s and named after Hong Kong in 1888. A small evergreen tree which is very rare in Hong Kong. Only recorded in a few locations within ravine forest with high humidity. Interesting flowers composed of four pieces of elliptic bracts, white in colour, appear in May and June.

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Lysimachia alpestris Champ (Hong Kong Primrose)

Discovered in Hong Kong in 1850s on the top of Vic-toria Peak. Perennial herb, leaves tufted, stiffly hairy on both sides. Yellow flowers appear in April. Only found in Hong Kong and Guangdong.

Rhodoleia championii Hook Discovered in a woodland behind the little Hong Kong (now Aberdeen) in 1849. A medium sized ev-ergreen tree, attractive rose or claret-coloured flow-ers appear in late winter to early spring. Natural population only found in Aberdeen, but propagated in various country parks. A handsome tree with po-tential for ornamental planting.

Iris speculatrix Hance (Hong Kong Iris) Discovered on Hong Kong Island by Hance in 1875. A perennial herb of Iridaceae, violet flowers appear in April and May. The cultivated hybrid of Iris has commonly been used as cut flowers.

Barthea barthei (Hance ex Benth.) Krasser A species described in the “Flora Hongkongensis” in 1861 based on specimens collected in ravines on the top of Victoria Peak. A small shrub, pinkish white flowers appears in April. The genus is endemic to china, only one species and one variety have been described.

Acer tutcheri Duthie (Tutcher’s Maple )Discovered in Lantau in 1904 by Mr. Tutcher, the then Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforesta-tion Department. At such time, the discovery of this maple was of great interest in adding one more spe-cies to the limited number representing the genus in the tropical regions. It is of the same genus as the famous Canadian maple. Likewise, the leaves also turn red in Autumn. Only seen in a few localities at high altitude in Hong Kong.

Bauhinia × blakeana Dunn (Hong Kong Orchid Tree)

First discovered around 1880 on the hillside at pok-fulam close to the remains of an old house and de-scribed as a new species by Dunn in 1908. A me-dium-sized evergreen tree which has been widely cultivated in parks and along road sides for its beau-tiful flowers and long flowering period from Novem-ber to March.

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Arundinaria shiuyingiana Chia et But (Shiuying Bamboo)

Named after Dr. Shiu-ying Hu for her contribution to the understanding of Hong Kong flora in 1983. A small bamboo species with 4-6 m in high and 1-2 cm in diameter. This species has not been recorded in anywhere else of the world so far.

Illicium dunnianum Tutcher (Dunn’s Star Anise)

First discovered in 1903 and named after Mr. Dunn, the then Superintendent of the Botanical and Affore-station Department. The distribution of this species is restricted to the stream courses at northeastern New Territories. It is of the same genus with the spice Star Anise, the fruit can be used as spice.

Here’s hoping you had a good 2017 year and you are ready for a better

new year in 2018.

Tour prices below do not include airfares to and from North America which are your responsibility. DO NOT book your flights until the minimum num-ber of participants are confirmed. Marlin Travel in Duncan is a full-service agency and can assist with your flights, insurance and any other travel needs. Don’t delay seats are limited! Transportation is by deluxe and roomy highway coach fully equipped with a washroom, comfortable seats, competent drivers and skilled guides. Participants must have travel medical insurance and be physically fit for in-dependently walking the gardens and other sights. The tour pricing includes all breakfasts, 3 and 4 star hotels, 8 suppers, bus snacks and drinks, garden entry fees, special guides, some lunches on special excursions, coach transportation and flight from Am-sterdam to London, Chelsea garden show entry, taxes, gratuities, welcome and farewell functions and trip swag for everyone. Prices for the tour are expected to be Can $5100 for double accommoda-tion and Can$1200 single supplement. A refundable deposit of Can $1100 is required by December 15, 2017 to secure your seat with a final payment due March 15, 2018. Final tour pricing will be determined by March 1, 2018. Payments (cheques preferred) are to be made to Marlin Travel, 921 Canada Ave, Duncan, BC, V9L 1V2 250-748-2594. Any questions about the tour can be directed to Bill Dumont at 250-743-9882 or bill@dumontevents.com.

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ONLINE SHOPPING AND THE ARS STORE

A REMINDER TO HELP FUND THE ARS Anytime you shop online for just about anything, please consider first going through the American Rhododendron Society Online Store. The ARS Online Store is reached by

the link: http://arsstore.org/ On this site you will find a very wide range of merchants who have agreed to give the American Rhododendron Society a referral fee of 4% to 25% on each sale "referred" by ARSStore.org. Just use a link from the ARS Online Store site to go to a merchant’s site and buy something like you normally would. You get the same low price and help the ARS. Wally Reed - President

MONTHLY EVENTS EUGENE CHAPTER

The Springs at Greer Gardens, 1282 Goodpasture Island Rd. Eugene. Second Thurs. Oct. to May at 7:30

SIUSLAW CHAPTER First Presbyterian Church 3996 Highway 101,

Florence, OR Third Tuesday of the month at 7 pm.

PORTLAND CHAPTER All Saints Episcopal Church

4033 SE Woodstock Ave, Portland, OR Third Thursday, and the program begins at 7 pm.

SALEM HARDY PLANT SOCIETY First Tuesday of the month 7:00pm

Salem Heights Community Hall 3505 Liberty Road S.

OREGON TRAIL IRIS SOCIETY Center 50+

2615 Portland Rd. NE Third Tuesday of the month 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

TUALATIN VALLEY CHAPTER First Tuesday of the month at 7 pm Washington County

Fire District 2 31370 NW Commercial Street North Plains, OR 97133

DISTRICT 4 CHAPTER WEB SITES Arswillamette.org

eugene-chapter-ars.org rhodies.org (Portland)

siuslawars.org sworegonars.org

tuatitinvalleyars.org All other web sites can be found on

rhododendron.org Under chapters under web sites

All ARS Bulletins are now available on line at:

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JARS/

Willamette Chapter Officers President: Wally Reed.........…...503-588-3666 V-President: Programs Chair: Keith White ……….…..503-363-2815 Secretary: Mary Crofts….… .…...503-838-4122 Treasurer: Dana Malby ……….... 503-393-6463 Librarian: Dick Lundin .......…...503-585-8439 Newsletter: Editor: Dick Lundin .......……503-585-8439 Print. & Mail: Dick Lundin .......…...503-585-8439 Board Members: Tom Bailey ........…...503-364-7741 Bill Vagt ………………..503-581-8654 Greeter Susan Doellinger…...503-838-4884 Past President: Chuck Dehn.......…...503-362-9217 Web Site

REFRESHMENTS Mary Ellen & Keith White

Moonstone Flower/Truss Description: Flower campanulate,

21/2” across, creamy yellow, flushed pink. Held in lax trusses of 3-5 flowers.

Fragrant: No Bloom Time: Early Midseason

Foliage Description/Plant Habit: Leaves ovate, 21/2” long, smooth, flat, medium green.

Compact, mounding habit. Prefers afternoon shade. Height: 3 feet in 10 years

Cold Hardiness Temp: -5°F (-21°C) Parentage (Seed Parent & Pollen Parent:

Campylocarpum ssp campylocarpum x williamsianum

Elepidote (E) or Lepidote (L): E