Northwest Flower & Garden Show

Steve Hootman

Steve Hootman is the Co-Executive Director and Curator of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way, and is a leading world expert on the genus Rhododendron and related genera in the Ericaceae, including Gaultheria, Vaccinium and Agapetes.  He is one of the foremost plant hunters to the remote Southeastern Asian regions of China, India and the Himalayas, seeking out undiscovered varieties of Rhododendrons for cultivation.  Many of Hootman’s expeditions bring back propagating material collected in the wild which are eventually offered for sale. This not only provides gardens with beautiful new plants, but also contributes to the conservation of the species in their dissemination among gardeners, when they might otherwise be brought to extinction by destruction of their natural habitats.  He has had many articles published in horticulture magazines over the years and is a popular lecturer with his fascinating accounts of his plant expeditions.  Website:  www.rhodygarden.org.

Beyond Rhododendrons – Great Shrubs for Every Garden

Thursday, February 9 at 7:00 pm in the Rainier Room

Join a leading rhododendron expert as he shares his experiences with many of the outstanding rhododendron relatives from around the world.  There are many genera of rhody relatives that are virtually unknown but are very well suited for Pacific Northwest gardens.  This is an enthusiastic and fascinating look at the relatives of our beloved Rhododendron from around the world, told as only a seasoned world explorer and plant hunter can tell it.