Field Trip Notes: Rambling Through the Rhododendrons of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

impersonate itself as “ 47 Akka of botanic bliss fronting the Pacific Ocean , ” the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens ( MCBG ) is a celestial berth to visit any time of year with its impressive ocean prospect , dainty perennial and vegetable gardens , and mile of thread trails through the captivating plant collections . For the rhododendron ( Rhododendronspp . and cvs . , Zones 4 - 9 ) enthusiast , however , the bill bloom months of fountain are particularly delightful , when over 1,000 hybrid rhodies — thriving in Fort Bragg ’s cool coastal climate , acidic soils , and mild wintertime — put on a stunningly colorful show .

The impressive collection was developed over the years with the enthusiasm , dedication , and hard work of true experts , start out with Ernie Schoefer and his married woman Betty , who establish the first of many rhododendrons in their Mendocino County garden in the early 1960s . Local nurserymen , share Ernie ’s dearest of rhododendrons , set about to donate their favorites to his garden , and thus the Rhododendron Collection began to grow . At last count ( in 2018 ) , the collection feature 124 species and 315 taxonomic group . Ernie , who passed away in 1990 , would be immensely lofty of how his creation has grown and the joy and inspiration it brings to over 85,000 visitors per class . MCBG ’s Rhododendron Collection is made up of three discrete subcollections , each with its own story and unparalleled treasure .

The Fort Bragg Rhododendron Collection

Found close to the lily pond and marsh area , and dedicate to John S. Druecker , an outstanding plantsman and nurseryman , this assembling boast variety named for Mendocino County venue or that have been topically hybridize or take . These prized plants were all donate by local baby’s room or from secret collections . A especially breathless variety is the deep red , floriferous ‘ Noyo tribal chief ’ ( Rhododenron‘Noyo Chief ’ , Zones 5–8 ) , breed by local hybridizer Dr. Paul Bowman .

The Tender Species and Big-Leaf Rhododendron Collection

Along Fern Canyon Creek you ’ll find a remarkable collection of stamp specie and bigleaf rhododendrons , many now endangered or even nonextant in their native habitats . grow over time with the addition of a miscellany of exotic , bigleaf rhododendron — some with leaves as long as 25 column inch — this assemblage was begin by greedy flora aggregator and MCBG volunteer Peter Schick . He generously donated over 250 specimens of relatively unknown and intensely fragrant tender mintage rhododendron . Rarely found outside of the cloud forest of Southeast Asia , and growing only between elevations of 4,000 and 9,000 feet and latitudes of 25 and 35 degree , these uncommon hoarded wealth flourish here and should not be miss .

The Rhododendron Cultivar Collection

The pathways from the Perennial Garden to the Event Lawn are lined with century of rhododendron cultivars , ranging from more recent additions of newer origination to the originals embed by Ernie Schoefer , some of them no longer uncommitted commercially . The more mature industrial plant have attain rarified heights and create a breathtaking video display above and below from early natural spring right up until the commencement of summer when they ’re in full , lofty , glorious flower and drop petals on the pathway below . ‘ Artemis ’ ( Rhododendron‘Cynthia ’ , zone 5–8 ) is a particularly vigorous old - timer and an rank smasher .

Located on Highway 1 in Fort Bragg and open almost every twenty-four hours ( hold MCBG ’s website at gardenbythesea.org ) , these keen gardens also include prize collections of fuchsias , magnolia , heather , irises , roses , and conifers , with the belated September Dahlia pinnata showing being peculiarly exceptional . A truly rattling experience !

If you ’re concerned in pick up more about rhododendrons , MCBG host California ’s gravid rhododendron show each May , plus it apply classes throughout the year for budding partizan wish well to learn the secrets to rise their own vibrant , respectable rhododendrons .

Fionuala Campion is the possessor and managing director of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma , California .

hunky-dory Gardening advocate Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a mission for items purchased through link on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate publicizing programs .

Get our latest tips , how - to article , and instructional television post to your inbox .

signalize you up …

Growing Rhododendrons in Northern California

Native Flowers for Native Pollinators

Field Trip Notes: Native American Seed at the Neiman Family Farm in Junction, Texas | Southern Plains Regional Report

Planting Under Native Oak Trees in Northern California

Join Fine horticulture for a free engaging springy webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals expert manager …

When I spotted a particular sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I hump I was in difficulty . With a delightful color pattern …

When we only prioritise plants we want over plant our landscape motive , each time of year is filled with a never - finish list of job : pruning , pinch , lachrymation , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be thrifty when you enter the backyard of garden interior decorator Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to activate on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a duad …