7:00 p.m. Refreshments & Networking
7:30 p.m. Project Announcements
8:00 p.m. Rhododendrons & Azaleas: What You Should Do & Not Do to Have Success
The lecture will include a review of the botany and differences among rhododendrons and evergreen and deciduous azaleas; a discussion of their specific cultural requirements; an outline of success factors in plant selection, planting and care; and specific recommendations on varieties suitable for this area.
Dennis Groh has been a garden enthusiast since childhood, and an avid plant collector for over 40 years. He has learned from his many failures. He is a voracious reader and has an extensive library of books on plants. He has been blessed to be able to network over the years with some generous and knowledgeable plant mentors. He has traveled the world to study those plants and talk with those most knowledgeable about growing them. Thus his contacts in the horticultural world have grown right along with the plants. Dennis does all he can to advance knowledge in the horticultural field. A scientist by profession, he brings an incisive perspective to his gardening, asking "why" and demanding explanations for "how", supported by fact.
Working with his wife, Carole, they have developed an amazing and stunning plant collection in their one-acre garden. Photographs of their garden have been featured in the Detroit Free Press, the American Conifer Society magazine, and in Adrian Bloom's publication, Gardening with Conifers. In 2005, Rebecca's Garden (HGTV) filmed a segment on the Japanese Maples grown in their garden. His garden has become a destination for horticultural luminaries including Professor Emeritus (University of Wisconsin) Ed Hasselkus, the late great conifer expert Chub Harper, and one of England's premier gardeners, Adrian Bloom.
Dennis has lectured on conifers, fall color, rhododendrons & azaleas, woody plants, and Japanese Gardens in an attempt to pass on his mentors’ legacy of plant knowledge and to help others avoid his mistakes.
Please note: In an effort to encourage gardeners to sign up for annual MGAWC membership ($15 US a year, October 1-September 30), the board has decided to charge guests $5 with the hope of incentivizing guests to upgrade to become members. UM-D students are exempted from the guest fee.