| 1967-1969 | Charles Herbert | |
| 1969-1971 | Lewis Bagoly | |
| 1971-1973 | Robert R. Huber | |
| 1973-1974 | Frank C. Kunze | |
| 1974-1976 | Carol J. High VMD | |
| 1976-1978 | John H. Topp | |
| 1978-1980 | Clarence Ziegler | |
| 1980-1984 | Dr. Fred S. Winter | |
| 1984-1986 | Francis H. Raughley, Jr. | |
| 1986-1988 | Fred S. Winter MD | |
| 1988-1990 | Jim Gears | |
| 1990-1994 | Eva Jackson | |
| 1994-1996 | Winfield Howe | |
| 1996-2000 | Robert Stamper | |
| 2000-2002 | Jim Gears | |
| 2002-2005 | Joan Warren | |
| 2005-present | Bob Smetana |
The Bronze Medal was authorized by the American Rhododendron Society in 1967, the same year the Valley Forge Chapter was welcomed into the American Rhododendron Society. The Bronze Medal Award was created to recognize Society members who make outstanding contributions to a Chapter, which may include accomplishments of the recipient outside the Chapter consistent with the goals of the Society. It is the highest award an American Rhododendron Society Chapter can bestow on one of its members. The award consists of an engraved medal and a certificate citing the recipient's accomplishments. A committee of Bronze Medal recipients is responsible for nominating award recipients. Congratulations to the following members of the Valley Forge chapter who received the American Rhododendron Society Bronze Medal:
| 1972 | Charles Herbert (from Philadelphia Chapter) | 1994 | Eva & Noel Jackson | |||
| 1978 | Ethel Herbert | 1995 | Barbara Ludwig | |||
| 1979 | Dr. Carol High | 1995 | Harold Sweetman, Ph. D. | |||
| 1980 | Clarence & Evelyn Rahn | 1997 | Frank Brouse | |||
| 1981 | Al & Edna Curley | 1997 | Nancy Greenwood | |||
| 1982 | Ross Davis, Jr. | 1997 | Ann & Winfield Howe | |||
| 1983 | Lloyd E. Partain (from Philadelphia Chapter) | 1997 | Ruth & William Miller | |||
| 1984 | Fred S. Winter MD, & Barbara | 2000 | Bonie Marcus Bennett | |||
| 1986 | Francis H. Raughley, Jr. | 2000 | Margaret Fawcett | |||
| 1987 | Robert & Helene Huber | 2000 | William D. Perry | |||
| 1987 | S. Reid Warren III & Joan | 2000 | W. Robert Stamper | |||
| 1991 | James D. Gears | 2001 | Sylvia Green | |||
| 1991 | Howard R. Kline | 2006 | William Dennis | |||
| 1992 | John & Bette Gross | 2006 | Tony & Penny D'Alessandro | |||
| 1992 | Donald H. Manion | 2006 | Mary Alice Snyder | |||
| 1992 | Pauline Raughley | 2007 | Mimi Favre | |||
| 1992 | William & Ellen Steele | 2007 | Darlene & Steve Henning |
| 2007 | Valley Forge Chapter's 40th Anniversary Banquet, which was held at the St. David's Golf Club, featured Hank Schannen as speaker. Hank reminisced and then proceeded to describe 20 improvements in rhododendron culture he would like to see in the next 20 years:
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| 2007 | Dennis MacMullan, wrote an article on rhododendron hybrids that was published in the Summer, 2007, edition of the Journal of the American Rhododendron Society. The author of several articles that have appeared in the ARS Journal, Dennis focused this time on his own hybridizing efforts, which started in the late 1960's. One of Dennis's hybrids is named for his friend and fellow Valley Forge Chapter member and hybridizer, Howard Kline. | |||
| 2007 | 33 new members joined at the plant sale which was chaired by Bill Dennis. Under Bill's leadership, the plant sale offered 10% discounts on plant purchases to new members. This paid off big at a time when the ARS is nationally suffering a decline in membership. | |||
| 2004 |  ARS Convention is held at the Valley Forge Hilton, King of Prussia. Garden tours included: Tom and Barbara Ahern in Bethlehem, Frank Brouse in Norristown, Diane Burko and Richard Ryan in Point Pleasant, Chanticleer in Wayne, Cresson Family in Swarthmore, John and Holly Doppel in Lenhartsville, Jim and Kay Gears in West Chester, Win and Anne Howe in Downingtown, Robert and Helene Huber in Salford, Eva and Noel Jackson in Radnor, Jenkins Arboretum in Devon, Brian and Cathy Keim in Rydal, Howard Kline in Bernville, Longwood Gardens, the Moyer Garden in Bethlehem, Mount Cuba Center in Wilmington, Rarefind Nursery & Garden in New Jersey, Pauline and Francis Raughley in Delaware, Ralph and Elizabeth (Liz) Schumacher in Gulph Mills, Robert and Barbara Tiffany in Point Pleasant, Tyler Arboretum in Media, Fred and Barbara Winter in Pottstown, Winterthur in Delaware, and Bill Zurich in New Jersey. Speakers included: Dick Murcott, Henry (Hank) Schannen, Jim Barlup, Kenneth Cox, Bill Steele, Dr. Gary Moorman, George Woodard, Steve Kristoph, George McLellan, Paul James, Harold Sweetman, Ed Collins, Dick Gustafson, Ted Stecki and Jerry van de Sande. |
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| 2002 |  Clarence Rahn, our highly-respected long-time member and Bronze Medal winner, celebrated his 90th birthday on April 9, 2002. Congratulations and best wishes! The photo to the right of Clarence with Joan Warren was taken on May 6, 2006, at the dedication of the Evelyn Rahn memorial bench. Margaret Fawcett took this photo. The bench was given by the Valley Forge Chapter of the ARS in memory of Evelyn, and it has a plaque on it saying that it was donated to the arboretum by Evelyn's friends at the Valley Forge Chapter of the ARS. Clarence was really pleased to see the bench and to have lunch with us, though he told us that Evelyn would never have expected so much. |
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| 2001 | Dr. Harold Sweetman, Valley Forge Chapter, becomes Chairman, Research Committee: which fosters and encourages research in the rhododendron field. This committee serves as a clearinghouse to receive and evaluate research proposals. This committee works with the Rhododendron Research Foundation. | |||
| 2001 | Wister Estate, Tyler Arboretum received $2.7 million from the estate of John and Gertrude Wister. Some of this money is designated for the restoration of the Rhododendron Collection that was planted by the Wisters fifty years ago. | |||
| 1998 |  Jim Gears, a member and former president of the Valley Forge Chapter of ARS, received the "Stanley Murray Award for Volunteer Service" (Volunteer of the Year) Award from the Asheville, North Carolina-based Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy at their 25th Annual Meeting on June 19 at the USFS Corpening Training Center in Crossnore, NC. |
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| 1998 |  Jenkins Arboretum was described in the Lehigh Valley (Pennsylvania) newspaper, "The Morning Call," as having a rhododendron and azalea collection equivalent to Longwood Garden´s orchid collection. Credit goes to Harold Sweetman for the development and maintenance of the arboretum, to those who volunteer their time and expertise and the American Rhododendron Society Valley Forge Chapter which has donated many plants to the collection. (From "Bob´s New Branch" (the president´s message) Valley Forge Chapter Newsletter, September 1998) |
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| 1997 |  Hank Schannen received the ARS Gold Medal at the annual meeting in Vancouver, BC. Besides being a frequent visitor at Valley Forge meetings, Hank operates Rarefind Nursery in New Jersey and has held numerous position in the American Rhododendron Society. He is our chapter auctioneer for plant auctions. His prize hybrid, Solidarity (right), is a popular plant on the East Coast. |
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| 1991 | We held our first solo Flower Show on the Conservatory Fern Floor of Longwood Gardens (previously held jointly with Philadelphia Chapter at Tyler Arboretum) on Sunday, May 12 (Mothers Day). This fabulous exhibit, with over 400 entries and educational posters, was seen (and photographed!) by thousands on Longwood's busiest day of the year. The winner of "Best in Show" was first-time exhibitor Sally Novello with 'Narcissiflora', a beautifully groomed deciduous yellow azalea, for which she received a watercolor painted by Helene Huber especially for this occasion. | |||
| 1988 | Lehigh Valley Chapter is started. Bruce Keyser becomes their first president. | |||
| 1988 | Plant Sale held at Jenkins Arboretum for the first time. Previously it had been held at Tyler Arboretum and later at Valley Forge Methodist Church. | |||
| 1986 | Harold Sweetman becomes the Executive Director of the Jenkins Arboretum. A biologist by training, he has worked for over two decades developing Jenkins´ extensive collection of species and hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as providing a showcase for the full range of native flora. Dr. Sweetman maintains a poisonous plant collection for the purpose of student field study. | |||
| 1984 |  A Guide for the Hungry Gardener, A collection of Favorite Recipes Plus Helpful Gardening Hints from the Members of the Valley Forge Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, was published. Barbara Winter was Chair of the Committee, Helene Huber was the artist and calligrapher, and Francis Raughley compiled the horticultural information, with focus on rhododendrons and azaleas. The impetus to the cookbook was the Bourbon Slush served by Barbara Winter whenever the Annual Meeting and Picnic or any other function was held at her and Fred's house. |
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| 1982 | Gertrude S. Wister: was presented the ARS Gold Metal for her contributions as a speaker and an author and for her leadership in numerous foundations. [Return to Top] | |||
| 1978 |  "Hybrids and Hybridizers" is published by Phil Livingston and Dr. Frank West. It features Charles Dexter, Joe Gable, Ben Morrison, Guy Nearing, Tony Shammarello and many younger hybridizer and their plants. It is dedicated to Dr. John C. Wister. "a unique record of hybridizing rhododendrons in the eastern United States. ... It is an enduring account of an American Revolution in garden rhododendrons designed to replace the mid-nineteenth century hybrids of the British" from the Introduction by David G. Leach. |
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| 1976 | ARS Convention is at Valley Forge Sheraton. Valley Forge, Princeton and Philadelphia co-host. Garden tours include: Tyler Arboretum, John & Gertrude Wister's, Joe & Doris Becales', Swiss Pines, Charlie & Ethyl Herbert's, G. Dave Lewis's, Tom Koenig's, and Mrs. Luenenschloss's. The flower show was at the American Baptist Center, across the street from the hotel. | |||
| 1973 | Heman Howard announces names for many Dexter plants that were formerly only known by the garden where they were grown and a number. For example SW12507-12 at Swarthmore becomes Acclaim. | |||
1972 |
 Test Garden at Tyler established by Philadelphia and Valley Forge Chapters. The area was about one fourth planted, by springtime with over one hundred plants. Dr. John C. Wister was the first director of Tyler Arboretum (1946-1968). The arboretum itself started in 1825 when two brothers, Jacob and Minshall Painter, set aside land to systematically plant more than 1,000 varieties of trees and shrubs. In 1944 descendant Laura Tyler bequeathed the property to be a nonprofit arboretum. In 2001 Tyler Arboretum received $2.7 million from the estate of John and Gertrude Wister. Some of this money is designated for the restoration of the Rhododendron Collection that was planted by the Wisters fifty years prior. |
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1972 |
First Annual VF ARS Banquet, Nov 5, 1971: Having an enthusiastic membership and a healthy treasury as the result of several successful spring plant sales, the officers, and directors concluded that the chapter should hold it's first annual banquet and program. The colonial era Seven Stars Inn was chosen as the site. At seven o'clock pres Bob Huber welcomed the members and the guests. The invocation was read by Mr. Herbert. After an excellent dinner Dr. West introduced the principal speaker of the evening, Mr. Robert D. McDonald, the director of the John .J. Tyler Arboretum. Mr. McDonald is also the director of the Plant Records center of the American Horticultural Society. Lew Bagoly presented framed and newly mounted to Mr. Charles Herbert his Bronze Medal Citation. Table decorations of chrysanthemums, and several hundred rhododendrons were distributed as door prizes. An informal decision to return next year was met with approval. |
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| 1971 | ARS Convention is at the Ben Franklin Hotel, Philadelphia. Garden tours included: George & Betty Arrington's, Princeton Display Garden at Hun School, Jo & Leon Heuser's Indian Run Nursery, Fred & Ernesta Ballard's, Al & Mary Martin's, George & Elizabeth Henny's, Charlie & Ethyl Herbert's, Frank & Alice West's, Jack & Gertrude Wisters and Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore, and Tyler Arboretum. Ernesta Drinker Ballard, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and Alfred S. Martin, the first Eastern Vice President of the ARS, organized the convention with the aid of the Valley Forge, Princeton and Philadelphia Chapters. The Philadelphia chapter met at The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society headquarters for many years. Mrs. Ballard was a colorful person in the history of the ARS:
Ernesta Drinker Ballard (1920-August 11, 2005) was a founding member of the National Organization for Women and a horticulturist. Ballard marched on Washington, lobbied for the Equal Rights Amendment, and raised money for female political candidates. She also was a founding member of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL), and served as chairwoman of the organization from 1989 to 1991. She to co-founded "Women's Way" an umbrella support group that funds a host of women's groups, including Women Organized Against Rape, The Women's Law Project, Women Against Violence. Ballard closed a successful horticultural business in 1964 to head up the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and supervise its annual extravaganza, the Philadelphia Flower Show. She expanded the flower show from four staffers to more than 100 employees. Alfred Martin was involved with King Fifth Wheel, a Pennsylvania based manufacturer of engine parts for the aircraft industry. He had previously served as President of the Philadelphia Chapter and later became President of the ARS. [Return to Top] |
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| 1968 | Bronze Medal introduced as highest award presented by a Chapter. | |||
| 1967 | Charlie Herbert and 15 friends found the Valley Forge Chapter, American Rhododendron Society on March 1. At the May, 1967 ARS Annual Meeting in Asheville, NC, ARS President Edward B. Dunn welcomes Valley Forge Chapter. It is the 23rd chapter. The Valley Forge chapter comes in with 16 members and 10 associate members, that is members of other chapters who desire to be affiliated with the new group also. The officers are: Pres. Charles W. Herbert, Phoenixville Pa.; Vice Pres. - Oscar F. Krebs, Norristown, Pa., and Sec.-Treas.; Mrs. Ruth Amenda, Perkiomenville, Pa. |
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| 1967 | Edward W. Collins, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Greer, Henry A. Schannen, and Bruce G. Keyser join the ARS | |||
| 1962 | Dr. John C. Wister, Swarthmore, receives the ARS Gold Medal at its annual meeting at Winterthur. He was head of the Dexter Study Committee since its inception in 1945. | |||
| 1962 | Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Bagoly of Phoenixville join the American Rhododendron Society | |||
| 1961 | Lloyd E. Partain and Francis H. Sholomskas join the American Rhododendron Society. [Return to Top] | |||
| 1959 | Guy Nearing receives the Gold Medal at the International Rhododendron Conference in Portland, OR, for his furthering the hybridization and propagation of the Rhododendron genus. | |||
| 1959 | Ross Davis of Wayne joins the American Rhododendron Society. | |||
| 1958 | Dr. John C. Wister, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, received the first American Horticultural Society Liberty Hyde Bailey Great American Gardener Award for his contributions to American horticulture. | |||
| 1957 | Philadelphia Chapter is formed on November 11, 1957 at Morris Arboretum. It is the 12th chapter. | |||
| 1953 | Joe Gable receives the ARS's second Gold Medal for 30 years of accomplishments in the investigation and hybridization of the Rhododendron genus. | |||
| 1952 | Charles Herbert of Valley Forge joins the American Rhododendron Society. | |||
| 1952 | ARS presents its first Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to the genus Rhododendron to ARS President Sersanous. | |||
| 1951 | ARS by-laws establish chapters. Seattle, California and Middle Atlantic become the first three chapters. [Return to Top] | |||
| 1947 | ARS publishes first issue of the American Rhododendron Society Quarterly Bulletin. | |||
| 1945 | On January 9, 1945 the articles of incorporation of the American Rhododendron Society were signed. All board members were from Oregon and Washington. No charter members were from Pennsylvania. The first annual meeting is held in Portland, Oregon, and featured an extensive collection of blossoming plants and cut trusses. [Return to Top] |
Some of the sadder moments …
| 2007 | Barbara Ludwig died recently. Barbara was a long-time and loyal member, who shared her talents in numerous capacities. She served most notably as Chair of the Truss (Flower) Show Committee. In 1991, when the Chapter decided to hold the show on the Conservatory Fern Floor of Longwood Gardens on Mother’s Day, Barbara met the challenges and set up and chaired the show there until 1999. For this alone, she was a deserving recipient of the Chapter’s Bronze Medal. | |
| 2005 | Margaret Fawcett, passed away May 27, 2005, after a long battle with cancer. The Valley Forge Chapter lost a good friend. She fought valiantly against the cancer that finally took her life, and two days before her last brief hospitalization she was out planting flowers. For 15 years, Margaret actively served the chapter as a board member, program chair, membership chair, volunteer at annual plant sale fundraiser, and was always ready to take part in any chapter event. Among other activities, and along with her close companion, Frank Brouse, she attended the Southern Highlands Conservancy meetings in North Carolina, garden tour bus trips, and native plant study group. Last November she mustered up the energy and enthusiasm to go on a two-week garden and sightseeing tour to Italy with Frank and with Tony and Penny D'Alessandro. The four close friends had a marvelous time together. As a board member, hers was always the voice of reasonableness and encouragement. She never had an unkind word to express about another or any situation. She also had a keen sense of humor, and two months before her death, she showed off her returning hair, lost to chemo, to some of the balding men of the chapter. Margaret was a bright and engaging woman with an untiring enthusiasm for life. She never lost that positive attitude...even at the end. We will all miss her. [by Frank Brouse] |
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| 2004 | Evelyn Rahn, On May 6, 2004, Clarence Rahn, his sister-in-law and niece went to the Jenkins Arboretum to tour the gardens and for the dedication of a special bench for his wife, Evelyn. The plaque on it reads that it was donated to the Arboretum on behalf of her friends at the Valley Forge Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. | |
| 2002 | Don Mannion passed away. He was a Bronze Medal recipient, active member, and Chair of 1st plant sale at Jenkins Arboretum (1988), held in parking lot. | |
| 2001 | Ruth W. Davis, Valley Forge Chapter, passed away recently. A desirable rhododendron was named for her. She and her late husband, Ross, were early members of the Society. (2001) | |
| 2001 | Virginia S. Jefferis, (Mrs. Raymond P. Jefferis), Greater Philadelphia Chapter, passed away recently. She was a founding member of Philadelphia Chapter. Mrs. Jefferis raised dwarf rhododendrons and donated a number of them to Longwood Gardens. | |
| 2000 | Ross Davis, Valley Forge Chapter, passed away earlier this last spring (2000). He was an early and long-time member of ARS. He was a recipient of the Chapter's Bronze Medal. He was a unique individual, a consummate plantsman who could always be counted on to tell it like it is. [Return to Top] | |
| 1999 | Frank Kunze, Valley Forge Chapter, passed away on February 7, 1999. He was an ARS member for over 25 years and a past President of the chapter. He was especially interested in azaleas and loved to share his experiences and knowledge. | |
| 1999 | John Fawcett, Valley Forge Chapter, passed away on February 8, 1999, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. | |
| 1999 | Louise Gable, daughter of the late Joseph Gable and mother of Valley Forge member Judy Allison, passed away recently. | |
| 1999 | Gertrude McMasters Smith Wister: Mar. 24, 1905-Jul. 13, 1999 Editor of National Gardener and author of numerous books. For more than 25 years, Mrs. Wister served on the board of trustees of the Tyler Arboretum in Lima, Delaware County. She also served as assistant and then acting director there from 1944 to 1977. Mrs. Wister was also assistant director of the Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College from 1955 to 1960 and with her husband, John C. Wister, created Wister Garden, now part of the Scott Arboretum. John Wister passed away in 1982. | |
| 1998 | Ethel M. Herbert, Valley Forge Chapter, passed away on September 25, 1998 at age 94. Her husband, Charles Herbert, was a founding member of Valley Forge Chapter. Early chapter meetings were held in the Herbert's living room. | |
| 1998 | Albert Curley passed away. He was a Bronze Medal recipient, who, after retirement from Fed. Reserve, was the Chapter's Treasurer for some time. Both he and Edna had been very active in '70s and '80s. | |
| 1998 | Betty J. Gross passed away. She was a Bronze Medal recipient, talented gardener, together with husband John, and a garden to prove it. | |
| 1997 | Edna Curley passed away. She was a Bronze Medal recipient, former Chapter Corresponding Secretary and early Chapter Historian, | |
| 1996 | Walter Kern: 1905 - May 29, 1996. Walter and his wife Elaine sent $20 to Edmund de Rothschild in the early 50's and requested they send him an assortment of Exbury Azalea seed. From this humble beginning, Walter expanded from his Exbury seedlings to his own hybrids. Walter and his wife Elaine were are founding members of both the Philadelphia Chapter and the Valley Forge Chapter. Walter received the ARS Bronze Medal. | |
| 1990 | Lloyd E. Partain: 1909 - Mar. 10, 1990. Lloyd was a charter member of the Philadelphia chapter and active in the Valley Forge and Potomac Valley Chapters. A native of Arkansas, a soil and plant scientist, Lloyd was instrumental in introducing the Glenn Dale azaleas. He received many metals including the Bronze and Silver Medals of the ARS. [Return to Top] | |
| 1986 | Guy Nearing: January 22, 1890 - March 19, 1986. He was a brilliant student and star athlete at the University of Pennsylvania. He almost went blind and contracted tuberculosis. After a career in advertising he established himself as a nurseryman. Nearing invented the Nearing Frame and created the rhododendron hybrids Ramapo, Purple Gem, Windbeam, Wyanokie, Brandywine, Chesapeake, Delaware, Hockessin, Lenape and Montchanin in his Ridgewood, NJ. He received the ARS Gold Medal in 1959. | |
| 1986 | G. Albert Reid 1911 - February 17, 1986. While Al was working for Fischer's Greenhouses, he decided to hybridize the beautiful greenhouse azaleas for hardiness. He created the Linwood Hardy Azaleas, in Linwood, NJ. He registered over 50 varieties of Linwood Hardy Azaleas, all double, semi-double, or hose-in-hose. He eliminated all azaleas that were single. | |
| 1983 | Orlando S. Pride: 1905 - October 25, 1983. Lanny Pride of Butler, PA hybridized many hardy azaleas, rhododendrons and hollies. His greatest achievement was breeding evergreen azaleas that would survive in NW Pennsylvania. The best knows are Marjorie, Nadine, Vicky and Mary Holman. They survived a winter with temperature down to -30F. Some of his super hardy rhododendrons are Blazen Sun, Charles Robinson, and Cloud 12. His super hardy deciduous azaleas include Pink Peppermint, Yellow Bird, and Coral Queen. Not many are in the commercial trade. He received the ARS Gold Medal in 1979. | |
| 1982 | Dr. John Caspar Wister: 1887-December 27, 1982. He was a member of a prominent Philadelphia area family, which included the 18th century physician Caspar Wister, after whom the wisteria was named. After graduating from Harvard in 1909, Dr. Wister had made major contributions with rhododendrons, roses, peonies, daylilies, iris, lilacs, daffodils, magnolias and many others. Dr. Wister had received gold medals from the Mass. Hort. Society, Garden Club of America, American Daffodil Society, and American Rhododendron Society. He served as director of the Scott Foundation at Swarthmore University and Tyler Arboretum. At age 66 he began a rhododendron-hybridizing program to create July blooming rhododendrons. Dr. Wister and his wife Gertrude were the first husband and wife to both receive Gold Metals from the ARS. | |
| 1982 | Tony Shammarello: 1903 - October 10, 1982. After a devastating winter at his Ohio nursery, Tony began hybridizing very winter hardy, compact rhododendrons. Tony produced 29 such plants ranging from Besse Howells, Holden, Lavender Queen, Rocket, Sham's Candy, Spring Parade, Yaku Angel, Yaku King, Yaku Prince, Yaku Princess, and Yaku Queen. He received the ARS Gold Medal in 1973. | |
| 1978 | Charles Herbert: Feb. 12, 1901-Nov. 26,1978 A founder of both the Philadelphia Chapter and Valley Forge Chapter. See Charlie's Obituary | |
1972 |
Joe Gable: 1886-July 20, 1972. Joe started his long relationship with rhododendrons after returning from England after World War I. He subscribed to the 1923 Rock Expedition being organized by Arnold Arboretum. In return he received many packets of seed Dr. Rock found in China. The best plant was R. vernicosum but it was very slow to bloom. Joe hybridized native plants with his Chinese species and came up with many hybrids still in the trade including: Albert Close, Atrier, Annie Dalton, Atroflo, Beaufort, Bosutch, Cadis, Caroline, Catagla, Catfortcampy, Conemaugh, Conewago, Conewago Improved, Conestoga, County of York, David Gable, Disca, Dr. Rock, Frazzles, Freckles, Gretchen, Haag's Choice, Henry Yates, Katherine Dalton, Kentucky Cardinal, Ladifor, Madfort, Mary Belle, Maxhaem Yellow, Milo, Moon Shot, Pink Twins, Pioneer, Robert Allison, Red Sox, Sir James, Skylark, Strawberry Swirl, Tom Thumb, and Vernicosum. He received the ARS Gold Medal in 1953. His daughter Mary Caroline Gable carried on the family nursery until her death in February of 1998. The family nursery in Stewartstown, PA no longer exists. |
Thank you to Sonja Nelson and the American Rhododendron Society for permission to use information from ARS Quarterly Bulletins.
Thank you to Laura Grant for researching the original records of the club in ARS archives.
Thank you to Tadeusz Dauksza for searching his archives of ARS bulletins for early information on the Valley Forge chapter and its founders.
Thank you to Eva Jackson for contributing information from the Valley Forge newsletter.
Thank you to Ted Stecki and Karel Bernady for contributing information on Charlie Herbert and the early years of the Valley Forge Chapter.
Thank you to Win Howe for contributing the list of Bronze Medal recipients and flower show records.
Thank you to Joan Warren for contributing the report of the Rhododendron Study Group and information on Chapter members.
Thank you to Helene Huber who drew the botanic sketches over the years.
Thank you to Bud Gehnrich, Dr. R. Gustafson, Randell Jesup, Sally Perkins, Jim Willhite, & Steve Henning for contributing pictures.
Thank you to Dr. Homer E. Salley and Harold Greer for compiling the pedigree of the hybrids made by the Valley Forge founders.