Has anyone purchased a Rhododendron (in B.C. specifically) called "NANCY EVANS"? I have been trying to locate this Rhodo plant for months but have had no luck, except for finding nurseries in the U.S. and Britain. I'm on Vancouver Island, so if anyone knows where I might buy one (anywhere in Canada), please let me know!
Many ARS affiliated rhodo societies have extensive propagation initiatives. Those that I am most familiar with on Vancouver Island are - MARS (Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society) Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society | MARS Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society (marsrhodos.ca) NIRS (North Island Rhododendron Society) http://www.nirsrhodos.ca/ws/ NRS (Nanaimo Rhododendron Society) http://nanaimorhodos.ca/ I wouldn't be surprised if the VRS (Victoria Rhododendron Society) which is close to where you live, wouldn't also be propagating harder-to-find rhodos. Try contacting any and all of them to see if the have R. 'Nancy Evans' already rooted or if they might start one for you. It wouldn't be a large plant of course but at least you'd have one.
"Looking for that special rhododendron?" is on this page. Propagation - Victoria Rhododendron Society
Is there a truck load of Rhodo come up from Weyerhaeuser campus in Federal Way WA each year — the man’s name is Bob? I think maybe @Ron B knows I think people meet at ubc botanical garden ? for this exciting arrival - a neighbour is a Rhodo enthusiast esp species rhodos so that’s what I’ve heard them talk about @Daniel Mosquin might have more info
@Georgia Strait Are you thinking of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden? https://rhodygarden.org/ Another idea, @Plantprincess, if you haven't already thought of it, is to ask at a garden centre to see if they would order R. 'Nancy Evans' for you. I have gotten a couple of hard-to-find shrubs from Dinter's Nursery (near Duncan) that way. Good luck!
Unfortunately, any nursery store manager that I have spoken to will not special-order it for me. Sigh. However, I will also give Dinter's a try. Thanks!
https://dinternursery.ca/rhododendrons Updates May 10/24 others I like are Percy Wiseman - compact and tidy plant Seaview Sunset - starts reddish buds and faded to a pleasant yellow - i think one of its parents is Cdn Sunset Golden Gate - apparently in honour of famous Rhodo garden in GG Park San Fran Wine and Roses is interesting esp w the burgundy under side of leaves (special word here …. “Indumentum” )… this one is from a Rhodo place in Scotland of course PJM keeps on giving and is first to bloom (well after Christmas Cheer) Have a look at the unlikely spots like your supermarket pop up garden Center - I call it a rescue mission ! As they bake in sun on hot parking lot pavement
Thank you for your knowledgeable suggestions. I will definitely check them all out as I am becoming a huge Rhodo fan. I must certainly agree with you that these box store and pop-up 'garden centers' in hot sunny parking lots are a call for help from plants. Like leaving a pet in your car as you go shopping in a cool, shady store!
R. 'Jingle Bells' is very similar to R. 'Nancy Evans' but I don't know if it is any easier to find. I really like rhodos like these whose blossoms start opening a darker shade and then fade lighter as they fully open. [Edited by wcutler, moderator - I have added the second attached file, the original one converted to PDF format, which will open directly on clicking. Interesting how much bigger the file is! I have left the original docx version in case anyone wants to makes notes on it.]
abaolutely i have waited outside in a parking lot hoping pet lives in warm or cold car — we have a « petio » safe from wildlife so the pets stay comfy at home instead of traipsing around in heat or cold etc - they like staying home :) back to topic - one you might find is Polar Night (nacht ) esp to commemorate the recent Aurora … I believe it’s from Germany breeder? i found mine at big box here. It’s a deep purple In order to round out your bloom garden - i say do sincerely look for a early / mid / late blooming sequence - it’s in the American Rhodo society website info about each name mix in some hostas and ferns and shade in simplest terms - small leaf is a wee bit more sun tolerant tho I would not make them live in full hot sun large leaf likes plenty of shade forest within reason (think of native rhodos in Manning Park on Hwy 3 east of Hope BC)
Yes, you're absolutely right. Don't just plant one that blooms early Spring and it's done. I hope to eventually have several that bloom in sequence. Rhodos are too eye-catching and should be adding their palettes of colour throughout the whole growing season. I do have to think on the 'compact' side however due to lack of space. Sigh. Thank you for your suggestions.
I purchased 'Nancy Evans' from Art Knapps in Port Coquitlam back in 2013. I know most of these have now either closed or become Garden Works, so you may want to try them. Percy Wiseman is also color changing if you can find it (I got mine from Canadian Tire)
I have been there numerous times (both locations) here in the Greater Victoria area. No luck. They won't special order either. I am making some new contacts however and still have a few sources to get in touch with. One way or another, I will eventually get my Nancy Evans! Thank you for responding to my plight!
Don't know if you've tried these... https://www.kleijnnurseries.com/offerings/rhododendrons/ (located along the Island Highway, a few minutes south of Nanaimo) https://www.artsnursery.com/product/rhododendron-nancy-evans-52
Yes, I did contact Art's, but not Kleijn Nursery. I will definitely give them a shout as well. It would be nice to find my cultivar on the Island if possible. Thank you!
