Who We Are:

The American Rhododendron Society is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to encourage interest in and to disseminate information about the genus Rhododendron.  Members' experience ranges from novice to expert.  Society activities include public education, flower shows, seed exchanges, scientific studies, and communication through publications and local and national meetings.  ARS chapters are located throughout the United States and Canada and in Denmark, Finland, Holland, Scotland and Sweden.

The De Anza Chapter is composed of American Rhododendron Society members who hold meetings and sponsor events in the "Silicon-Valley" region of Northern California.  Non-members and guests are always welcome to attend Chapter meetings and events.

The De Anza Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society will feature a tour of the Monte Toyon Garden of Maury and Fran Sumner, that is located at the Monte Toyon Camp and Conference Center, 220 Cloister Lane, Aptos. From the parking lot located in the area of 36°59'46.7"N 121°53'51.5"W, please walk up the trail to the Observation Platform of the Rhododendron Garden, which is located at the top of the hill, where the tour will start from there, led by Mike McCullough, who knew the Sumners from 1975 on.

The Sumners lived in San Francisco, but in order to test and display their hybrids such as the Maddenii Series rhododendrons My Lady, My Guy, Mi Amor, Saffron Prince, Martha Wright and Owen Pierce; and to grow other rhododendrons, in the 1950s they established the three acre Monte Toyon Rhododendron Garden in Aptos. Information on the rhododendrons of Maurie and Fran Sumner can be found at https://aptoscommunitynews.org/place/sumner-garden-rhododendrons/

Hopefully the regular blooming Sumner hybrids Mi Amor (with its large fragrant flowers), My Guy, and R. burmanicum x R. dalhousiae shall be in bloom; as well as rhododendrons such as the Maddenii Series species Rhododendron supranubium. Maddenii Series species and hybrids do well in the Greater Bay Area, they make good container plants for the small garden, and many have fragrant flowers.

Links:

American Rhododendron Society Web Site

Need Help Growing Rhododendrons?

Local Resources?

Want to Find a Chapter in your Area?

Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County

Rhododendron Potting Mix Resource