Garvan Woodland Gardens to Host Southern Plant and Gardening Expert Buddy Lee

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Buddy Lee, an expert on Southern plants and gardening

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Buddy Lee, an expert on Southern plants and gardening, will speak at the annual fall meeting and workshop of the Ozark Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, planned for 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 8, in the Magnolia Room at Garvan Woodland Gardens.

The chapter will discuss what’s working for members who are growing rhododendrons in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Lee will be the featured speaker, talking about great new plants for the all-season garden, as well as exciting species currently under development for Southern gardeners. Bob Byers, associate executive director of the garden, will give a brief introduction to azaleas, other rhododendrons and maple collections at the garden and lead a garden tour of fall highlights following the lecture.

Robert “Buddy” Lee, of Independence, Louisiana, invented the Encore Azalea, the world’s best-selling re-blooming azalea. He has more than 30 years of experience in nursery management, breeding, propagation and new plant development. Lee currently serves as Director of Plant Innovations for Plant Development Services, the introducers of the Encore Azalea, the Southern Living Plant Collection and the new Sunset Western Garden Collection.

Lee also has been active in numerous horticultural groups and presently serves as a board member of the International Plant Propagators Society-Southern Region (IPPS-SR) and of the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association. He is the past president of the Azalea Society of America.

This event is free for members and $10 for non-members. Reservations are required and can be made online or by phone at (800) 366-4664.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas.