Joe Di Giacomo

The name Rhododendron comes from the Greek words “rodon” which means “rose” and “dendron” which means “tree”, hence Rose Tree.

The Laurelwood Arboretum Board of Directors has named its newly completed propagation greenhouse the “Dorothy Knippenberg Propagation Greenhouse” in recognition of Dorothy’s lifetime dedication to the hybridization of rhododendrons, azaleas, and other plants.

The ‘Paul Vossberg’ rhododendron may be arguably one the oldest rhododendrons in Laurelwood Arboretum.

The Rhododendron Study Team, which was formed six years ago at Laurelwood Arboretum, has a goal of preserving and protecting the rhododendron collection in the arboretum. Hundreds of rhododendrons were planted by John and Dorothy Knippenberg many years ago when the site was operated as a commercial nursery known as Laurelwood Gardens specializing in rhododendrons

John and Dorothy Knippenberg purchased 30 acres of property across from their home on Pines Lake Drive West in the 1940’s. The site was developed by them as an active commercial nursery

Video: Rhododendrons in Bloom Credit: Joe DiGiacomo