Rhododendron Species Foundation & Botanical Garden

Vireyas are tropical rhododendrons found in southeast Asia and Australia. They comprise about a third of the Rhododendron genus with more than 300 species. Most are not hardy outside at temperatures below 32 degrees farenheit but they do well in a greenhouse or, with the proper growing conditions, they can be cultivated in a house or apartment. The RSBG sells a number of species - see the mailorder page for current availiablity.

The big news in Vireyas at the RSBG is the completion of the renovated old propagation greenhouse into the Vireya Greenhouse. In the words of long-time Vireya enthusiast Fran Rutherford:

"The old outdated greenhouse was basically reduced to its bare bones. The old covering was replaced with triple wall polycarbonate 6-foot wide panels to recover the entire structure. A mist control system was installed. A Wadsworth Step 50 Controller which provides two stages of heating, three stages of cooling and day and night set back for energy saving has also been installed. For the first time we will also have shade curtains. This $60,000 renovation was funded entirely by contributions from vireya lovers. Volunteers did most of the “pick and shovel work”. Our primary vireya collection will be transferred from pots to two long bins. Attachment 2 is a photo of one of the two bins. The soil mixture for the bins will be two parts small red rock, two parts bark and one part axis. Axis is a soil amendment made from naturally occurring diatomaceous earth. This mixture provides excellent drainage. We have also established a Vireya Endowment Fund and would welcome your donations."

You may access the newsletters published by the Education Committee of the RSF from this page. Click below to access the VIREYA VINE

For pictures and descriptions of Vireyas in the RSF collection, click HERE