Welcome to the Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society (CVRS) based in Duncan, British Columbia on southern Vancouver Island. We are affiliated with the American Rhododendron Society and the BC Council of Garden Clubs. Our Society has about 50 members from the local area who are passionate about Rhododendrons. Rhododendron means “rose tree” in Latin.
The CVRS publishes monthly newsletters and hosts monthly meetings with educational speakers, presentations, and demonstrations. Newsletters are sent to members each month and are also posted on the Website; they contain valuable information. Meetings are held monthly, and beginning October 2023, the meeting venue has been changed to The Hub, 2375 Koksilah Road, Duncan, B.C. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month and begin at 7pm.
Tours of private, local, and regional gardens offered to CVRS, and affiliate American Rhododendron Society members are popular activities, as are workshops such as propagating rhododendrons from cuttings or seeds.
Our members willingly share their amazing knowledge of rhododendrons and companion plants with others. They also share and exchange special plants from their gardens with one another. This year, once again, several outdoor activities are being planned that will allow members to enjoy their shared passions.
The CVRS organizes a large Annual Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Plant Sale, where members and the public can purchase often hard-to-find rhododendrons and other plants to beautify their gardens. This garden event is also the venue for the Rhododendron Truss (flower) show.
The venues for the plant sale have varied since the COVID period began. Events and venues are advertised on social media sites and The Voice. On occasion, special plants are offered online. Most years, the CVRS selects a local community garden to which it donates large, beautiful rhododendron plants. In other years, it offers donations to organizations which protect and promote the genus Rhododendron.
We would love to have you join our society, meet new friends, and have fun learning about rhododendrons and other plants. Read one or more of the newsletters and send us an email in the contact section.
The Public Rhododendrons Gardens of Vancouver Islandby Ian E. Efford A long-time Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society member has authored this excellent book (2015) about Vancouver Island’s rhododendron gardens. It includes descriptions of gardens to visit, maps, and beautiful photographs of both rhododendrons and gardens. You can contact Shirley Efford at efford@telus.net or contact the CVRS to purchase a copy. |
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View 25-Year History of our Chapter
Ian Efford has published the “Rhodo Book” (December 2013). This book contains a 25-year history of the Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society. View the “Rhodo Book”: Celebrating The First 25 Years – by Ian Efford and the first errata.