Text Box: Pilchuck Pollinator Volume XIV No. 5 January 2006 From the Editor: Oops! I was out of town the week following Christmas and by the time I got home there was no time to do a full newsletter. So I’m pulling together what I can and mailing it out hoping it will get to everyone in time. December 8th Meeting Minutes: The meeting was called to order by President Greg Winters, who just returned from getting a clean bill of health from a cancer diagnosis. Our guests were members from the local Fuchsia Society. Shirley Rock reported on the upcoming Northwest Flower Show in the Convention Center in Seattle. Dave Hammond proposed we do our annual bus tour to various gardens in the Grays Harbor area and with a stop for a barbeque at the Hammond’s place in Humptulips. Dave also brought a “mystery” Rhody to be named at the end of the “Gift Exchange”. It turned out to be “Bambi”. Dates for the tour will be finalized at the next meeting because of the need to reserve a date for our flower show at the Everett Mall this coming May. Fred Kirby will be contacting the Everett Mall office for reservations. Barbara Blankenship started the Gift Exchange, which included magnolia bushes, bamboo, candy, pillows, frames and rare plants. It was a success even though it got a little crazy at times. It was recommended for future parties that the gift receiver opens his/her gift at a central table up front before sitting down. 2009 Rhododendron of the Year We need to come up with our recommendation for the 2009 ROY. There four categories to choose for: Lepidote, Elepidote, Deciduous Azalea, Evergreen Azalea. We need to decide three years in advance to allow growers to propagate the choices. Here are the rules: 1.  Foliage should have good green color and retain leaves for at least 2 years, (except deciduous azaleas). 2.  Plant should flower and perform well in your region 4 out of 5 years. 3.  Full, compact plant. 4.  Must be cold hardy, bud hardy, and heat tolerant in your area. 5.  Must be registered with the ARS. 6.  Easily propagated. 7.  Easily grown in the average garden requiring low maintenance. 8.  Resistant to local diseases. 9.  Propagation material must be available for mass production and availability in 2009. 10. 2009 candidates cannot duplicate previous years ROY selections.