Rhodies fans should be planning a road trip to Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, 3531 Meerkerk Lane, Greenbank, on Whidbey Island, Washington. Here, ten acres of display and educational gardens enveloped by forty-three acres of woodland preserve include more than four miles of nature trails. Founded by Ann and Max Meerkerk in the early 1960s, it’s now an independent not-for-profit organization open to the public. A research facility too, it offers much advice to gardeners thinking about growing rhododendrons. One example is this handout titled “Rhododendrons: Ten Steps To Success”.

It’s open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily March 15 – September 15 (“summer” hours). Between September 16 and March 14 (“winter”), it’s open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. just Wednesdays through Sundays.

Road Trips Gardeners lucky enough to be driving on Whidbey Island March 20 and 21, 2010, can shop the garden’s Specialty Rhododendron Nursery. The annual fund-raising event includes new hybrids from Frank Fujioka, exotic species and (of course) “tried and true” good bloomers!

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