Scroll down for details of upcoming SRS activities and a summery of recent past events…
SRS/RSCG Joint Autumn Conference 11th Oct 2025. Garden visit 12th Oct
SRS members should by now, of received an email in which they can register for the event.
The joint conference will be held this year at Benmore Botanic Garden, Dunoon, Argyll, PA23 8QU. The focus is likely to be on Rhododendron identification and building Rhododendron knowledge. It is also a fantastic opportunity for a tour of the garden at Benmore in its Autumn glory.
There will also be an optional visit to the RSCG plantings at Glenbranter on the Sunday morning.
Teas/Coffees and biscuits will be on hand for breaks. Please bring your own packed lunch and sit and enjoy the company.
Full details of the conference will follow in due course.
Online Seminar
New to the Scottish Rhododendron Society this Winter!
A chance for our members to attend online seminars. Listen to Rhododendron experts sharing their experiences and get a chance to take part in Q&A. Details to follow!
Rhododendron Show & Exhibition, 25th April 2026.
The date and venue has been set for the 2026 Rhododendron Show and Exhibition. The venue will once again be set in Scotland’s Rhododendron heartland at the picturesque town of Garelochhead.
With an influx of new exhibitors at the 2025 show, next year is sure to be fierce in competition and have a display of high calibre exhibits. This event is a must for any Rhododendron enthusiast and keen gardeners looking for inspiration and a chance to meet like minded people.
Full details of exhibition-day timetable, show schedule and other useful information will be available in a link on this page later in the year. This new show page will also have insider tips from one of our judges on how to help your exhibit stand out so keep a look out.
Spring Gardens Tour 2026
Our new ‘Tours & Events’ manager is now making plans for a Tour of Derbyshire Gardens including a visit to the spectacular rhododendron collection at Dunge Valley Gardens. Details will be shared with SRS members via email and this page will be updated in due course.
Past Events
Tayside Gardens Tour summery
2nd-4th May 2025
Day 1
The weekend tour starts off with a Friday afternoon tour round Braco Castle Gardens. Jodi Simpson was kind enough to share his knowledge while guiding us round the gardens. The woodlands, terraces, pond area and house surrounds hold an extensive range of rhododendrons and other hardy plants. The sunny weather enticed many of us to stay behind after the tour to soak in the atmosphere.
Day 2
The second day begins with a visit to the treasure trove that is Branklyn Gardens NTS. This compact garden is an outstanding setting which is an absolute must for any plant enthusiast. The famous rock garden is packed full of gems and the woodland area has many Rhododendrons in full flower. Plants are all well labelled and the grounds very well maintained by a dedicated team.
After mid-day refreshments, we then met up for a look round Dundee Botanic Gardens. A large arboretum provides a sanctuary to a wide range of trees and shrubs from around the world. The collection includes a well labelled rhododendron area. The well tended greenhouses with two different climatic zones are also a great asset to the gardens.
Day 3
A visit to Glendoick on Sunday morning concludes the Tayside gardens tour. Ken Cox, world famous plant explorer and nurseryman guided us around the vast hillside garden. Glendoick is full of rhododendron species collected by the family over generations and hybrids continue to be developed in the nursery. We were all given the opportunity to learn something new and pick up useful tips (and pick up a few new plants).
This tour was organised by Willie Campbell.
SRS members can find out more about the garden visits in ‘The World of the Rhododendron’.
SRS/RSCG Joint Autumn Conference
Oct 5th 2024
Botanical exploration isn’t consigned to the history books and is in fact more relevant than ever. With more and more plants coming under threat, an understanding of how they grow and interact within their natural habitats plays an important role in knowing how to best conserve them.
Find out more about today’s botanical travellers at our Autumn Conference joint with the Rhododendron Species Conservation Group (RSCG). Maybe you, like our speakers, will feel inspired to follow in the footsteps of some of our greatest plant explorers such as George Forrest and Frank Kingdon-Ward.
‘Modern-day Botanical Travellers’
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Conference Room.
Members of SRS and RSCG all Welcome.
Start time: 9:30am
A small selection of images from presentations
Speakers :
- Richard Moore – on his trip to NE Nepal.
- Colin Jones – about his botanical trip to Yunnan.
- Jeanie Jones – shares her knowledge about Primulas from across the Himalaya and Turkey.
- Grant Moir – talks about seeing plants in the wilds of NW Yunnan.