Enjoy the beauty of the many tours of New England gardens while being introduced to the many people who have contributed to the successful introduction of 1000 's of rhododendron cultivars suitable for growing in New England.
While Charles Dexter, Edmund Mezitt, Gus Mehlquist have been very instrumental in the development of rhododendrons capable of growing in our harsh cold New England climates, the combined contributions of New England hybridizers and growers such as Anthony Consoloni, Jack and Evvie Cowles, Mike Medeiros, Wayne Mezitt, Richard Jaynes, Dick Brooks, Elinor Clarke, Virginia Craig, Dorothy Swift, Linc Foster, Ed Cary, Leo Blanchette, Charles and C.J. Patterson, Jonathan Shaw, Jonathan Leonard, Peggy Lawson, Mossy Hall, Louis Cook, Ed Brown, Joe Parks, Ron Rabideau, Tony Knights, Ian Donovan, Henry and Barbara Wrightington, Dean Barber, Bob Stuart, Radcliffe Pike, John and Sally Perkins, George Hibben, Fred Knippel, Joe Bruso, Fred Thurber, and many others whose gardens are features on this site are also significant.
Public garden displays featuring these introductions include Elm Bank Display Garden, Heritage Plantation, Maudsley State Park, Arnold Arboretum, Kinney Azalea Garden, Garden in the Woods, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Moore State Park, and Polly Hill Arboretum.
Our Chapter's Andy Patton Rhododendron Display Garden at Elm Bank is open to the public. Peter Littlefield, Betty Carlhian, and Joan Ferguson design and maintain the garden.
Our Chapter Journal and News Letter contain articles on rhododendron culture and chapter events. Jonathan A. Shaw, Noreen C. Slavitz & John J. Slavitz, Max L. Resnick, Richard Brooks, Richard W. Chaikin, Ian E. M. Donovan, James B. Phillips, James E. Marchand, and Susan Clark have been editors.
You too can contribute to our rich Chapter history by introducing Rhododendrons to your garden, learning why our Chapter members have introduced several thousand difference rhododendron hybrids and species to theirs, or by taking a stroll through our Chapter Display Garden at Elm Bank. Most of our Chapter activities are open to the public so check our Chapter schedule and join us in celebrating the plants, publications, and people.