On entry, the exhibition hall is a breathtaking blaze of colour and visitors will understand why rhododendrons create such a passion in their avid growers.
The show has run for many years, for the last six at Gibson Hall, Garelochhead, Argyll, a venue with a large hall and easy parking, just out of the town centre.
The competition is open to both Scottish Rhododendron Society members and non-members: anyone may come along and arrange a vase of rhododendron blooms. There are 50+ classes and 14 awards, but there is a class and award for novices if this is your first exhibition, and committee members are on hand to help new exhibitors arrange and place vases in the correct category. The schedule includes a photograph class and one for companion plants.
The exhibits are judged on Saturday morning by three distinguished judges, and the show opens to the public at 12pm.
Learning to identify rhododendrons is very tricky and can take years of study. Fortunately at the show you are amongst a group of enthusiasts who love nothing more than the challenge of identifying plants so take the chance to get advice in identifying rhododendrons in your own garden.
The Scottish Rhododendron Society is a Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. It was set up about 40 years ago, as a result of some founders links with the American Rhododendron Society, to nurture a wider public interest in the genus rhododendron.
Many older Scottish gardens - particularly those on the milder west coast - have outstanding rhododendron collections established when the great plant hunters returned with seed collected in China and the Himalayas. Seed was shared among wealthy landowners who vied with each other to flower these exotic plants and then hybridise them to produce many more new cultivars. Nowadays, as so much of their native habitat is eroded, these ancient plants which survive in our country have become increasingly precious.
The Society arranges tours to some of these private gardens, many of them owned by members, to provide an opportunity to see plants growing in different locations, share ideas and growing techniques, meet like-minded enthusiasts, and admire the owners' efforts.
Members also provide seed for our extensive seed list which contains both open and closed* pollinated seed, as well as perennials suitable for companion planting. (* i.e. self pollinated giving progeny true to the parent, vital if from plants with authenticated collection numbers.)
A wide range of plants will be on sale at the Show at reasonable prices, grown by members. In addition, a specialised rhododendron grower from Carlisle will be at the event with plants for sale, and you can pick up specialist gardening books too.
All proceeds raised from plant sales are added to the Education and Exploration Fund which launched two years ago to assist horticulturalists who wish to expand their knowledge of the genus rhododendron.
The first successful applicant, with assistance from Scottish Rhododendron Society completed a trip to the Himalayas last Autumn.
Visitors to the show can also benefit from the opportunity for a full weekend of local rhododendron inspiration. A guided walk through Kilarden Rhododendrons with Carol Rowe takes place on Sunday 28th April at 2pm. Message enquiries@scottishrhododendronsociety.org.uk if you would like to join this walk.
The Scottish National Rhododendron Show and Exhibition runs from 12pm-3pm on Saturday 27th April 2024, at Gibson Hall, Garelochhead, Argyll, G84 0AT. Further details, including notes for exhibitors and the show schedule can be found at www.scottishrhododendronsociety.org.uk