The Rhododendron 2022

• Date: 31st October 2023
• author: Andrew Rouse

EDITORIAL

It has been two years since our last journal, the 2021 issue a victim of Covid, or at least that is my excuse. To make up, this year we have a bumper issue, with articles and updates from Australia and overseas.
In my last editorial, I flagged that each of the ARS branches had voted for the de-registration of ARS Incorporated, and Graham Price, the ARS Inc. Secretary provides an update on the completion of this task. Whilst some members may regret that we no longer have a national body, I’m firmly of the view, as one of the state representatives on National Council, that the cumbersome and administratively burdensome structure of ARS Inc. was no longer required, and that the levy structure, where branches were contributing a portion of each member’s funds to ARS Inc., was unwarranted and a source of frustration for the branches. ARS Inc. is being replaced with an MoU between the branches that will provide a structure for communication and coordination between the branches without the unwanted administrative burden.

Also, in the last editorial I flagged the upcoming ARS conference, which of course was a legitimate victim of Covid lockdowns and travel bans. I’m pleased to inform you that the conference has been rescheduled for 13–15 October 2023 and will be hosted by Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens (EVRG). Please save the date in your diaries! Registration details will shortly be uploaded onto the ARS website and notification through the branches.

Each state group has provided an update, and it is lovely to hear from the Illawarra society after an extended absence from these pages. I know that the members of the Illawarra Rhododendron and Rainforest Gardens would be happy to welcome ARS members planning a trip to NSW south coast – see the back page for their contact details and those of all the groups...

CONTENTS

Editorial · Andrew Rouse.................................................3
President’s Report · Jeff Jenkinson ........................................................5
Reports – Australian rhododendron groups ...........................6
The New Zealand ex-Situ Project · Andrew Brooker .................... 11
EVRG – a plant museum? You tell us · Maurice Kupsch............................... 18
Rhododendron prostitum at Pukeiti, New Zealand · Graham Smith .................... 20
Rhododendron kawakamii – a pseudovireya from Taiwan · Maurice Kupsch ..........27
Illawarra Rhododendron Gardens, past, present and future · Bruce Christie...........28
From Bhutan to Vietnam · Steve Hootman..................................... 31
Summary of the hybridisation of Vireya rhododendrons · Andrew Rouse ............64
Deregistration of the Australian Rhododendron Society · Graham Price ............72
The living collection of R. viriosum and R. lochiae at Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens ·
Andrew Rouse................................73
Bush to bananas and back – a Currumbin Valley Journey · Dale Schubert .............78
New Registrations 2021–2022 ................................................ 85
Society contact information...........................................92

Please download the Journal to read more of the editorial and some very interesting articles.