Deutsche Rhododendron-Gesellschaft

The Deutsche Rhododendron-Gesellschaft e.V. (DRG) is a German non-profit association dedicated to rhododendrons, azaleas and evergreen broadleaf and coniferous woody plants. It was founded on 18 October 1935 during a ceremony in Bremen City Hall, on the initiative of rhododendron enthusiasts and tree-nursery owners. In May 1937 the first official members' meeting took place in the Bremen Rhododendron Park, where an agreement with the nurseries established that the park should be developed as a display and trial garden with the greatest possible diversity of rhododendron wild species and cultivars. The society is one of roughly twenty rhododendron societies worldwide. Membership is open to garden friends and plant lovers as well as horticultural professionals from science and practice, drawn from across Germany and from other European and non-European countries. The association advises its members, shares experience and reports on new findings and research results concerning rhododendrons and evergreen woody plants. Under its current statutes, its core tasks in researching rhododendrons and evergreen broadleaf and coniferous woody plants include systematic treatment of the relevant genera; investigation of wild species and cultivars for winter hardiness, flower colour, willingness to bloom, habit, foliage and other characteristics; breeding research; exchange of scientific results at home and abroad; and publication of working results. Annual conferences with lectures and visits give members the opportunity for practical exchange and for seeing and experiencing rhododendrons and evergreen woody plants; the 2018 annual conference was held jointly with the American Rhododendron Society. Special study trips at home and abroad lead to beautiful parks and gardens, often not generally accessible. The society promotes the spread of rhododendrons and evergreen woody plants in gardens and parks and cooperates with all bodies concerned with their care and development. The expansion, development and flourishing of the Bremen Rhododendron Park with its extensive collections of rhododendron species and cultivars, azaleas and other evergreen woody plants is a particular concern of the society. The society has three organs: the board (Vorstand), the advisory council (Beirat) and the members' meeting. The board consists of six people; the president is currently André-Michael Schultz of Bremen. The advisory council consists of horticultural professionals and enthusiasts whose members are elected annually by the members' meeting. Publications have included the yearbook 'Rhododendron und immergrüne Laubgehölze' and the members' bulletin 'Immergrüne Blätter'; since 2006 these have been replaced by the twice-yearly journal 'Rhododendron und Immergrüne'. The society maintains an official website at rhodo.org, which offers introductory material on rhododendrons, planting advice, park and garden recommendations, news, lecture videos and publications such as 'Rhododendrons International Vol. 8' and a DRG planting and care brochure.

The Deutsche Rhododendron-Gesellschaft was founded on 18 October 1935 during a ceremony in Bremen City Hall. The initiative came from rhododendron lovers and tree-nursery owners. In May 1937 the first official members' meeting was held in the Bremen Rhododendron Park. At that meeting an agreement was reached with the nurseries that the Bremen park should be developed as a display and trial garden with the greatest possible diversity of rhododendron wild species and cultivars. The society is one of roughly twenty rhododendron societies worldwide. Over the decades the society has grown into a specialist association whose members include garden friends and plant lovers as well as horticultural professionals from science and practice, coming from all over Germany and from other European and non-European countries. Its statutes define core tasks in the research of rhododendrons and evergreen broadleaf and coniferous woody plants: systematic treatment of the relevant genera; investigation of wild species and cultivars for winter hardiness, flower colour, willingness to bloom, habit, foliage and other characteristics; breeding research; exchange of scientific results at home and abroad; and publication of working results. Annual conferences with lectures and visits provide members with opportunities for practical exchange and for seeing and experiencing rhododendrons and evergreen woody plants. The 2018 annual conference was held jointly with the American Rhododendron Society. Special study trips at home and abroad lead to beautiful parks and gardens, often not generally accessible. The society promotes the spread of rhododendrons and evergreen woody plants in gardens and parks and cooperates with all bodies concerned with their care and development. The expansion, development and flourishing of the Bremen Rhododendron Park with its extensive collections of rhododendron species and cultivars, azaleas and other evergreen woody plants is a particular concern. The society has three organs: the board (Vorstand), the advisory council (Beirat) and the members' meeting. The board consists of six people; the president is currently André-Michael Schultz of Bremen. The advisory council consists of horticultural professionals and enthusiasts whose members are elected annually by the members' meeting. Publications have included the yearbook 'Rhododendron und immergrüne Laubgehölze' and the members' bulletin 'Immergrüne Blätter'; since 2006 these have been replaced by the twice-yearly journal 'Rhododendron und Immergrüne'. The society maintains an official website at rhodo.org, which offers introductory material on rhododendrons, planting advice, park and garden recommendations, news, lecture videos and publications such as 'Rhododendrons International Vol. 8' and a DRG planting and care brochure.

• Founded on 18 October 1935 during a ceremony in Bremen City Hall

• First official members' meeting held in May 1937 in the Bremen Rhododendron Park; agreement with nurseries to develop the park as a display and trial garden

• Yearbook 'Rhododendron und immergrüne Laubgehölze' and members' bulletin 'Immergrüne Blätter' published (historical)

• Since 2006, the yearbook and bulletin replaced by the twice-yearly journal 'Rhododendron und Immergrüne'

• 2018 annual conference held jointly with the American Rhododendron Society

• Rhododendron 'Bad Zwischenahner Liebe' christened in April 2019

Non-profit specialist society for rhododendron enthusiasts and horticultural professionals, combining practical gardening advice with scientific research and conservation of rhododendron collections.

• Rhododendron und Immergrüne (journal, since 2006)

• Rhododendrons International Vol. 8

• DRG planting and care brochure

• Rhododendron und immergrüne Laubgehölze (yearbook, historical)

• Immergrüne Blätter (members' bulletin, historical)

1. 1Deutsche Rhododendron-Gesellschaft e.V. – official websiterhodo.org
2. 2Deutsche Rhododendron-Gesellschaft – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Deutsche Rhododendron-Gesellschaft – Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Deutsche Rhododendron-Gesellschaft e.V.rhodo.org