About the Emerald Chapter
Brief History
(For more details see Louise Parsons’ entry in A History of the American Rock Garden Society 1934-1995, p. 160, which is in our library.)
In 1976, Ken Hixson, rhododendron grower and botanizer, attended the First Interim International Rock Garden Conference in Seattle. Five other gardeners from from Eugene were also there. Ken sent out a letter—but nearly ten years were to pass before the formation of the Emerald Chapter. In late 1985, Ken Lodewick publicized a meeting which 15 people attended. Ken proposed the name “Emerald”. The Emerald Chapter was officially recognized in May 1986.
Ken Lodewick and Gene Sebring served as the first President and Vice President, respectively. A number of members shared their gardens, beginning a tradition of “open gardens.” In order to raise funds for the chapter, the first annual plant sale was started by the Sebrings at their home. By 1989, with Gene Sebring as chair, membership had grown to 26. Ernie O’Byrne, Virginia Sebring, Elizabeth Fisher, and Loren Russell continued as leaders. Field trips became a regular activity. Another tradition, the trough workshop, was started by the O’Byrnes.
By the time Marietta O’Byrne became chair in 1995, the Emerald Chapter had become large and energetic enough to agree to host the 1998 NARGS Annual Meeting. With seed money from NARGS, the following year the chapter also began its biggest project yet: the construction and planting of a large public rock garden in Alton Baker Park in Eugene. It was named the Sebring Garden in honor of Gene and Virginia Sebring. The flourishing of the Sebring Garden continues to be a major focus of the chapter, as well as a source of pride for all those who work to maintain it.
Natty Hopewell chaired the very successful NARGS Annual Meeting, “Skyrockets and Shooting Stars, Fourth of July in the Western Cascades” which took place July 2-5, 1998. Natty continued as chair of the chapter, followed by Eveleen Henry. Loren Russell took another turn as chair and also chaired the chapter’s very first Western Winter Study Weekend, “Braving the Elements” in 2004. Holly Helton continued the tradition of excellent chairpersons by leading the chapter until 2006.
Our most recent chair, Jim Regali, led us for the last three years, doing a terrific job improving our organization and furthering the mission of the Chapter to promote rock gardening in the community. Numerous other people continue to make valuable contributions that sustain the group and help us share our enthusiasm for rock gardening.
Mission
We strive to support the goals of NARGS; to promote the appreciation and cultivation of alpine and rock plants; to secure and distribute alpine and rock plants not already in cultivation; to protect native populations of rock plants and their habitats; and to encourage rock gardeners to share knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendship.