Please print this note, as it contains instructions for ordering.
It's time to submit your Van Veen & RareFind order for delivery in April, 2010.
SEND ME YOUR ORDER BY December 25 AT THE LATEST.
Attached you will find 2 Word documents:
- Van Veen plants order form
- RareFind plants order form
Use these to order your plants.
As with last year, there are many plants that have never before been available from Van Veen. To obtain information for plants with which you are unfamiliar, I recommend the following information sources:
1. Greer's Guidebook to Available Rhododendrons – a must have book that includes entries on the majority of the plants listed.
2. Rhododendron Hybrids by Sally & Greer
3. Google search for the name, and you are likely to find one or more references to that plant.
Program Overview
· Each year, the Massachusetts Chapter submits a group order to Van Veen Nurseries of Portland Oregon, a wholesale grower, to take advantage of a volume discount.
· These plants are mostly yearlings from rooted cuttings. These are high quality plants at an excellent price. They arrive un-potted and need to be simply potted up or planted into a "nursery" area for ease of watering the first 1-2 years.
· Many plants will have a limited supply and will be distributed on a first-ordered first-served basis, so there is an advantage to mailing your order early (the postmark date governs).
RareFind Plants
· Beginning last year we added an order of 1 gallon RareFind plants. This continues this year. Many/most of these plants are not listed on RareFind's website, as they are considered connoisseur or collectors plants and are available in very limited quantities. Though the prices went up this year, they are still a bargain. We are selling them for less than retail, especially once shipping is considered. These plants were hand-selected by the Perkins and are thus the "picks of the litters". So they are superb examples of superb plants. All plant types were selected based on outstanding or unusual foliage and/or bloom. All should be hardy to at least -10F. Some are much hardier.
Instructions
· Submit your order to me via E-mail to jpbruso@aol.com. List the plants you want and the quantity of each. You can combine the RareFind and Van Veen plant order in one email to me, but indicate which are RareFind plants, in case of duplicates.
· Include the following information:
o Your Name
o Full Mailing Address
o Phone Number
o Whether you would like to help with the sorting & distribution.
· Prices: See the attached Van Veen and RareFind order forms.
· Shipping & packing materials: $1.50 per plant in addition to plant cost for both Van Veen and RareFind plants.
· Return the Order to me by 12/25. Send no money until you receive the order confirmation & invoice from me. The invoices will be sent sometime after the first of the year based on confirmation of plant availability from Van Veen. The plants will be available for pickup in April. Notification of the pickup date will be provided with the invoices and in the Newsletter. Distribution will once again be at the Hunnewell barn in
· For Van Veen plants, there is a 2 plant minimum order per plant type for the group order as a whole. You don't necessarily have to order 2 per type yourself in order to receive the plant, since if others order the same type, the minimum will be met. However, to increase your chances of getting a particular type you really desire, especially if it isn't one of the more "popular" varieties, you may want to order two yourself.
Notes to newer members:
· For lists of plants that will do exceptionally well in our area, I suggest you refer to our chapter's "Proven Performers" list and also the list of the late Dick Brooks' favorite plants published in the Spring/Summer 2003 issue of The Rosebay.
· Best reference: Greer's Guidebook to Available Rhododendrons, available from our book table at chapter meetings.
· A primer on how to successfully raise small plants to landscape size will be available during the distribution.
As in previous years, volunteers will be needed to assist in distributing the plants. This involves spending a few hours on Saturday morning of the distribution weekend. If you are able to help, please let me know when you send your order.
If you have any questions please call me at 508-435-8217 (evenings and weekends) or E-Mail me at jpbruso@aol.com
Joe Bruso
