– by Barry Mathias –
This year, The American Rhododendron Society’s (TARS) 70th Convention is being held at the Mary Winspear Centre from Wednesday, May 6 – Sunday, May 10. The Society has selected a new hybrid called Champagne Lace as its rhododendron of the Convention, and the story behind the creation of this hybrid is remarkable.
Jim Barlup, creator of the Champagne Lace hybrid, is a world-renowned American rhododendron grower. He is one of seven international speakers at the Convention, and he brings a wealth of knowledge of his subject. “This May is my 40th anniversary as a hybridizer,” he said. “Many people turn their hobbies into careers. I did just the opposite. I turned my 15-year career as a professional photographer, and my 19 years in a retail nursery into a hobby. It has been a joy! I can continue to look to my garden each day and dream of what the possibilities are.”
It was in the winter of 1995 that Jim Barlup decided to cross one of his registered hybrids ‘Glenna’ with ‘Janet Blair’, “a well-respected and internationally known Eastern hybrid.” His ‘Glenna’ hybrid, which is pale pink with a yellow throat, evolved from combining ‘Hoti’ (yellow) and ‘One Thousand Butterflies’ (red); “it had proven to produce full trusses with lacy edges.” He selected ‘Janet Blair’ for the pollen parent “for its many positive attributes, but primarily for its hardiness.”
He described how the cross was made in spring of 1996, but it was not until 2001 that the first bloom appeared. “In time, I selected the best seedling…the rest were discarded.” Over the years this one rhododendron grew, but in an unsuitable place. Jim Barlup took three cuttings and “donated the original plant to Meerkerk Gardens for their foundation’s annual fundraiser.” It was not until 2009 that these cuttings bloomed: “The trusses were full with pale yellow, lacy-edged flowers, just as I had hoped for!” He waited a few more years “to let it prove itself” before registering the name. “It was 17 years from the time it was conceived in my mind until the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain registered the name ‘Champagne Lace’ in December 2012. Perhaps this is what they mean by a “slow bloomer,” he joked. However, at the age of 81, Jim Barlup continues to experiment and admitted: “I have over 1,000 seedlings yet to bloom.” He was honoured that this convention has chosen his ‘Champagne Lace’ as the rhododendron of distinction.
Among the international speakers is Harold Greer, who wrote ‘The Greer Guide’ known in the rhododendron world as the ‘Bible’. “He is the living Godfather of rhododendrons,” said Peter Lewis, Publicity Officer for the Cowichan Chapter of the ARC.
So how did the Town of Sidney come to be chosen? “The initial work began two and a half years ago, and involved a number of very hardworking people,” said Peter Lewis, creator of Edmonton’s iconic Great Divide Waterfall. He paid tribute to Calvin Parsons, past President of the Victoria Chapter of the ARC, and to Lois Blackmore, Co-Chairs of the Conference Organization Committee. “Lois Blackmore has 125 of Jim Barlup’s rhododendron hybrids: the largest private collection in North America. Both Chairs have been outstanding.”
Peter Lewis approached Sidney Town Council last fall and persuaded them to grant $4,400 towards the cost of street banners and artwork. “Margo Styan, Saanich fabric artist, made the replica of the Champagne Lace Rhododendron, and Karol Story of Artopia created the 70 banners that will be displayed along Beacon Avenue and at the Victoria International Airport (YYJ). “We are grateful to Randy Humble of the STC; he has done much of the co-ordination of the erection and eventual taking down of these banners.” Ian West, Director of Security and Terminal Operations at YYJ, organized the banners at the terminal, and allowed TARS to have a booth at the airport, staffed by members of the Victoria Chapter. This team effort has also included Peter’s wife, Toti, who is an artist, and who created the vibrant front cover for Seaside Magazine!
“This Conference is an important event,” said Brad Edgett, Executive Director of the Mary Winspear Centre, “650 people will be attending, and 80% of them will be coming from the USA.” He explained that most of the American visitors would be coming from Washington, Oregon and California. “Part of the reason why Sidney was chosen is its proximity to planes and ferries.”
Brad Edgett confirmed that the Convention would have positive economic benefits: “Conference attendees spend on average $360/day (including hotel, restaurant and shopping), whereas the average American tourist spends $180/day and local visitors about $90. The benefits extend outside Sidney, and involve businesses in North and Central Saanich,” with The Butchart Gardens at the top of the list.
“The Sidney Business Improvement Area (BIA) is very excited that The American Rhododendron Society chose Sidney…” said Donna Petrie, their Executive Director and Event Liaison/Facilitator. “We were so impressed by the promotional video about Sidney that the organization put together.” She said that the BIA “has been instrumental in getting the word out that Sidney is a safe, vibrant and walkable town, which attracts and welcomes visitors.”
“We are particularly thrilled to have this Convention come to Sidney,” said Dale Ryan, Director of Public Relations at Butchart Gardens. “Vancouver and Victoria are already established large convention centres, and it is good to see Sidney getting established as a conference destination.” She said January and February were busy months for visitors because of the fine weather, and she expected the Convention to increase visitor numbers in May.
Rick Los, Director of Horticulture at Butchart Gardens said, “Rhododendrons are a very important plant to us…they are very well suited to our climate and provide us with an abundance of background colour…”. He added: “These rhododendrons have stood the test of time, and you can still find some of the original plants (dating back to Jennie Butchart) in our gardens.”
“All conventions are important,” says Jim Barlup. He refers to “meeting other growers and seeing their plants first hand.” So, for him, famed hybrid grower, and for the people of Sidney, there are many reasons to celebrate this Convention.
