Meeting:

January 12, 2006

Guest Presenter:

Jim Jaeger

Topic:

Vireya Rhododendrons for Southern California

Our speaker for January, Jim Jaeger, has been a member of the Society for a quarter century.  A graduate of Pierce College with an A.S. degree in general horticulture, Jim has a passion for plants that drives him to share his knowledge and experience. 

He belongs to a dozen or more plant societies and is an instructor at Santa Monica Emeritus College, which was founded over 30 years ago for students 55 years of age and older.

In 1975, along with a small handful of other aspiring rhododendron growers in the Southland, Jim helped form the Southern California chapter of the  American Rhododendron Society.  The much larger group now meets at Descanso Gardens every second Saturday from September through June at 1:30 pm.  You are invited to go and enjoy the programs and to view their vireya rhododendron collection planted up by the Bodie Mansion on the hill.  

Jim will elaborate on this most unusual planting and show slides about vireya or Malesian rhododendrons.  He’ll touch on what they are; where they come from; and their cultural requirements.  Jim will also bring trusses of their flowers to show their diversity and share their fragrance which will remind you of pinks or carnations.

As always, your garden-loving friends and relatives are welcome.

The Plant Raffle was provided by Nuccio’s Nursery.