Steele Lecture: Trends in Gardening with Rhododendrons in Germany

Oct 7—Steele Lecture:  Trends in gardening with Rhododendrons in Germany. 

            Hartwig Schepker. Rhododendrons are being produced in millions every year in Germany for all over Europe. Currently modern approaches of using them in gardens are tested including the development of autumn-flowering hybrids or improved foliage plants.  Gardeners need to use rhododendrons as plants for all-year-round and not just for two weeks of flowering. A current research project in the Bremen Rhododendron-Park also explores rhododendrons species as new sources for antibiotics.

            Bio: Dr. Schepker is the director of the 46 hectare (114 acre) Rhododendron Park and Botanic Garden in Bremen, Northwestern Germany, where he is in charge of the world’s second largest rhododendron collection. He is a gardener and horticulturist with a PhD in plant ecology and a keen interest in the natural communities of rhododendrons and their accompanying plants.