The Southwestern Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society will present its annual judged Rhododendron Truss Show on Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20, at Pony Village Mall in North Bend.

Everyone who has a rhododendron or azalea growing in the garden is urged to cut a bloom and bring it to the show. Local growers and experts will be available to identify varieties and help you enter your blooms. There is no charge to submit a bloom and no admission charge to the show. To be eligible for competition plants must have been in the owner’s garden for at least six months. Both ribbons and trophies will be awarded.

All entries must be brought to the mall starting at 7 a.m. and no later than 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 19. Entries will be received on the east side of Pony Village Mall between the Ross and J.C. Penny stores. The show will be open as soon as judging is completed at approximately 11:30 a.m. and remain open until 5 p.m. The show will be open from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Rhododendron trusses should consist of a single truss surrounded by a single whorl of leaves that grow around it. The stem on the truss should be 4 to 6 inches long. The truss should have most of the flowers open and the foliage be free of flaws and clean.

Azaleas can be entered as sprays not over 16 inches in height and width. Most of the flowers should be open.

Another feature of the show is a rhododendron plant sale. The chapter will have more than 100 plants for sale on Saturday and Sunday. Copies of Greer’s Guidebook to Rhododendrons will be for sale as well. There are many beautiful hybrids developed by members of the society here in Oregon as well as Washington. The society had its beginning in Portland in 1945 and now has members worldwide.

For  more information, those interested can call Pete Baumer at 396-3528, Bob MacIntyre at 347-7269 or Ann Drake at 396-2718.