American Rhododendron Society 2021

Virtual and Live Convention

Rhodos Down East: Exploring the North Atlantic Region

June 3-6, 2021

Virtual Convention and onsite events at the Old Orchard Inn, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Take advantage of an exciting opportunity to learn about growing, breeding and gardening with rhododendrons.  Due to the travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 American Rhododendron Society Convention will be offering all the presentations, garden tours and networking opportunities available on line, to anyone who can access the internet!  For those who can travel to Nova Scotia (see latest travel restrictions here) there will also be an in-person sessions and garden tours as well as a plant sale featuring rare and unusual Rhodos propagated especially for this event.

Speakers include Ken Cox, famed Scottish Rhododendron breeder from Glendoick Nursery in Scotland; Joe Bruso, Rhododendron breeder from Massachusetts; and Todd Boland from Newfoundland’s Memorial University Botanical Garden.  The Convention will start with a lecture on “Introduction to Mi’kma’ki” by Gerald Gloade, a Mi’kmaw Naturalist and educator who will tell the stories of the first people that explain the natural history since the area was covered by ice.  Garden tours, both virtual and in-person, will include the Annapolis Valley Historic Gardens and Peggy’s Cove barrens as well as private gardens. Networking opportunities will include the Breeder’s Roundtable where you can hear about the latest trends in Rhodo breeding,  the ARS Next Gen Project which will show how to involve the next generation in your local ARS club, as well as social events that feature the seafood, cider and wine from our local producers.

Registration for the virtual convention will is now OPEN!  Our registration is hosted on the Eventbrite.

Canadian Registration link 

US and International Registration link

Registration for the on-site convention will open on February 15, event dependent on Public Health restrictions.  

Registration Information and Fees

American Rhododendron Society Convention 2021 (Old Orchard Inn, NS)  registration opens February 15, 2021

Late registration fee starts April 1, 2021

Registration Closes  May 1, 2021

Virtual Convention Registration  Fee:    $65 US (plus Eventbrite processing fee $5.59) / $80 Canadian (plus Eventbrite processing fee ($5.88)  before April 1, 2021.  After April 1, 2021  $80 US / $100 Canadian

ARS Convention 2021 Registration Opens  February 15, 2021

ARS Convention 2021 Fee:               $190 Canadian  (includes convention fee, Friday dinner/Sunday lunch)  before April 1.  Late Fee $210 Canadian  after April 1

Thursday evening “Farm to Table” Dinner with chef Jason Lynch  $80 Canadian

Friday bus tour to Annapolis Royal gardens   $80 Canadian

Saturday bus tour to Peggy’s Cove barrens   $80 Canadian

Saturday evening Lobster banquet                 $75 Canadian