NOVEMBER 28, 2004

program of the Portland Chapter of the
American Rhododendron Society
presents

Ms Margaret Cadwaladr

Ms Margaret Cadwaladr of Milner Gardens and Woodland in British Columbia, Canada and publisher of In Veronica’s Garden will be on hand to talk about the famous Milner Gardens. Mr. and Ms Cadwaladr are active members in their local chapter. He is in fact the executive director of the garden.
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This collector’s garden on the east coast of Vancouver Island has 500 varieties of rhododendrons, trees and shrubs. The original creators traveled extensively to build such a collection. With a Ceylonese tea plantation style house built in 1929-31 it was the summer home for Ray and Rina Milner. Later, after Rina Milner’s passing, Ray, a renowned Canadian philanthropist and business executive, married Veronica and a new direction was taken for this garden. Veronica’s passion for natural settings of “ordered chaos” is still evident today.
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The woodland garden is designed to blend with the natural surroundings of coastal mountains and inland passages. This garden features an extensive collection of rhododendrons. Many of the rhododendrons came from the nursery of Ted and Mary Greig, noted rhododendron hybridizers and jointly awarded ARS Gold Medals in 1965.
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Today the Milner Gardens and Woodland are public gardens that operate with a membership of Friends group of 800 strong and an active volunteer base of 175 people.
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Come learn about these talented Canadians, their relatives, and their story. Be inspired and awed by the plants and impressed by the Royalty that have visited this beautiful garden.

-KvV-