Where every rhodo has its day

This Sunday is Rhododendron Day, an annual event in the Dunedin Botanic Garden since 1971. Gillian Vine reports.

Forty years ago, rhododendrons were on the outer. A pity, thought some members of the Dunedin Horticultural Society (DHS), who tossed around ideas to encourage people to appreciate - and grow - the shrubs.

The Dunedin Botanic Garden had a fine collection, so where better to stage a day devoted to rhododendrons?

And so Rhododendron Day in the Upper Garden was born.

The Rhododendron Dell was the first major development in the Upper Garden. In 1914, 500 rhododendrons were planted and some of the giants in

the dell date back to this time. In 1916, the year the area was opened to the public, another 140 were added, with newer species and hybrids added from the 1920s until the present.

Among the line-up is the first New Zealand-bred rhododendron to be officially registered, Marquis of Lothian, bred about 1880 by William Martin, of Fairfield.

David Tannock, the garden's superintendent from 1903 until 1940, was the driving force behind the Rhododendron Dell. In a book written in 1916, he made his partiality clear: "Beautiful and hardy plants ... [rhododendrons] should occupy an important position in groups, beds, or among trees in a sheltered dell."

He was also responsible for the Azalea Garden, the nucleus of which was a collection of 400 deciduous azaleas he ordered while on a visit to Belgium in 1921. Some still survive, surrounded by the Japanese maples and magnolias added in the 1930s.

Strongly supported by botanic garden staff, Rhododendron Day was driven by the DHS until recent years, when the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden took over the role.

For gardeners, one of the big attractions is the plant sale and eager buyers always line up for the 9am opening to ensure they get first dibs.

"It is always popular and supports the Friends," Botanic Garden team leader Alan Matchett said.

This Sunday promised the usual good line-up of stalls and there was always room for more, he said.

The day also includes a workshop, at which staff led by Doug Thomson will demonstrate rhododendron care and give specialist tips.

As well as the chance to learn from expert staff about the old species in the dell, the tour takes in Balch's Island, named for Robert Balch, former deputy director at the botanic garden and a keen rhododendron hybridist. Some of the rhododendrons he bred can been seen in this area, as well as several bred by Charles McLaughlin and former Evening Star gardening columnist and the Star Garden Book's second editor, Bruce Campbell.

"These men and other enthusiastic amateurs have left an interesting legacy for rhododendron lovers," Mr Matchett said.

---

Open gardens
There is no Dunedin Rhododendron Festival this year, but members of the Dunedin Open Gardens Scheme are opening their properties this weekend and next (October 15-16 and 29-30) as a celebration of spring.

Several have excellent selections of rhododendrons. Brochures with descriptions and locations of gardens are available from garden centres, Dunedin InfoSite and at the Dunedin Botanic Garden Information Centre beside the cafe in the Lower Garden.

---

Botanic Garden events
• 9am to 2pm: Plant sale, Upper Garden.

• 10am to noon: Rhododendron workshop. Cost is $20 per person and bookings are required; phone 477-4000 by 4.30pm today.

• 1pm to 2pm: Guided tour of Rhododendron Dell. Free, but bookings are required; phone 477-4000 by 4.30pm today. The cost is $20 per person.

---