Day 208 Rhododendron Festival 2013 at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich MA
The annual Rhododendron Festival starts on Saturday May 18th thru Sunday May 26th at the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich MA . There will be thousands of rhododendrons in more than 100 varieties cover our 100 acres with spectacular blooms during this week-long event. Enjoy peaceful walks surrounded by walls of flowers, learn more about these gorgeous plants and challenge yourself to a rhododendron scavenger hunt and participate in other family activities.
Daily
1-1:30pm Daily – Join a guided walking tour of our spectacular rhododendron collection near the American Art & Carousel Gallery. Discover how the work two hybridizers – Charles Dexter and Jack Cowles – did on this property contributed to the genus (Rhododendron) and created the plants we love.
Free with museum admission.
Saturday May 18, 9am-12pm – Photography Workshop – Bring your digital camera and your interest in rhododendrons to this half-day workshop on floral photography. Professional photographer Michael Dallaire will teach you the digital photography techniques needed to compose creative photographs that capture the stunning beauty of these gorgeous flowers. This workshop will include an indoor lecture component, outdoor photo-shoot on Heritage’s grounds, and tips on editing your rhododendron photographs in post-production. A digital camera is required to participate in this workshop. Fee: $65 Members, $75 Non-Members
Sunday May 19th
Rhododendron Propagation Workshop @ Heald Conference Center, Automobile Gallery
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Every one wants more of these great plants, and our Director of Horticulture Les Lutz will demonstrate how easy it can be to propagate them. Participants will learn how and when to take the cuttings and what rooting medium to use. After watching a demonstration, participants will have the opportunity to try their hand at practicing the techniques, and will leave with some materials to help them to successfully propagate a few rhodies of their own. Advanced registration is preferred, but not required.
Rhododendron Expert Panel @ Heald Conference Center, Automobile Gallery
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join rhododendron expert John Delano and Heritage’s Director of Horticulture Les Lutz for a fascinating discussion of our outstanding collection of rhododendron hybrids, the history of rhododendrons at Heritage and expert tips on the care and cultivation of these beautiful flowering plants.
John Delano is a member of the American Rhododendron Society and has grown many hundreds of outstanding rhododendrons both at Heritage and in his own garden in Duxbury, MA. Mr. Delano has also done invaluable work at Heritage by cataloguing the Dexter and Cowles hybrids.
Saturday May 25th
Signature Plant Series: Rhododendrons In Your Home Landscape @ Meet at Ticket Office
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us this summer for a series of talks that will spotlight some of the stars of Heritage Museums & Gardens’ Horticulture Collection. Participants in this informative walking tour led by Director of Horticulture Les Lutz will learn tips and tricks for incorporating this stunning plant into their home landscape. Advance registration is suggested, but not required. Comfortable footwear is advised.
