Do you need a speaker for your organization? The Azalea Chapter offers you a Speakers Bureau. Consider one of our members who can bring a program to you on plant- or garden-related subjects. For local presentations, no fees are expected, but if some distance is involved, an honorarium to cover travel expenses would be greatly appreciated.
Charles Andrews
Charles Andrews is a native azalea lover who wants to know everything he can about this wonderful group of plants. He is a member of the American Rhododendron Society and the Azalea Society of America, currently serving as president of the Azalea Chapter, ARS. He spends much time looking for and photographing these plants in the wild and has hundreds of native azaleas in his Forsyth County, GA garden. He and his wife, Mardi, are working to give their garden year-round interest. Another goal is low maintenance gardening. His articles have appeared in the Journal American Rhododendron Society; The Azalean, magazine of ASA; Azalea Blooms, newsletter of the Azalea Chapter; and on this web site. He is current writing a book on native azaleas.
Telephone: (770) 442 9412
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Background:
- MSEE Georgia Institute of Technology (electrical engineering)
- U.S. Air Force, 8 years, Air Force Systems Command
- Retired systems analyst, business analyst, project manager
Possible topics:
- Azaleas and Companion Plants
- Extending Your Garden Season
- Native Azaleas
- Georgia's Native Azaleas
- The Magnificent Flame Azalea
- Natural Azalea Hybrids
- William Bartram's Azaleas
Joe Coleman
Joe Coleman is an expert on rhododendrons and azaleas. He is a long-time member of the American Rhododendron Society as well as a founding member of the Azalea Society of America. He has served in many offices of the Azalea Chapter, ARS, including president. He has served as director in both ARS and ASA. He is also active in the Georgia Native Plant Society with a special interest in plant rescue, centered on Georgia's native azaleas. Joe and his wife, Donna, maintain a large garden in Dekalb County, GA. Joe's knowledge is extensive, whether it is about species, cultivated varieties, hybrids, culture, or propagation. His articles have appeared in the Journal American Rhododendron Society; The Azalean, magazine of ASA; Azalea Blooms, newsletter of the Azalea Chapter; and on this web site. With a special interest in propagation, Joe has annually hosted a cutting party. He is an excellent photographer. Joe's latest foray is into tissue culture propagation of azaleas and rhododendrons.
Telephone: (770) 482 1289
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Background:
- Retired dentist after 40 years of practice
Possible topics:
- Introduction to Evergreen Azaleas
- Hybrid Groups of Evergreen Azaleas
- Cutting Propagation of Evergreen and Deciduous Azaleas
- Propagation by Seed
- Azaleas of Hurricane Creek
- Hybrid Rhododendrons for the South
Hugh Denny
Hugh Denny is a past president of the Azalea Chapter, ARS. When Hugh moved to the Atlanta area, he became fascinated with the wide range of colors found in native azaleas. He began his azalea gardening in the 1960s, and years later an announcement of a meeting of the ARS brought him into our Azalea Chapter where he has been active ever since, serving in many capacities, including web master, plant sale chairman, and president. Hugh's love of native azaleas will be readily apparent.
Telephone: (404) 633 9363
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Background:
- MSEE Georgia Institute of Technology
- Retired research engineer GA Tech
Possible topics:
- Year Round Blooms for North Georgia Gardens
- Deciduous Azaleas Native to Georgia
Ken Gohring
Ken Gohring's expertise goes far beyond rhododendrons. Ken loves plants, primarily of the native variety. He is active in the American Rhododendron Society (past chapter president, past regional director), the Georgia Native Plant Society, the Georgia Botanical Society, and the Azalea Society of America. Ken has coordinated many plant rescues for the GNPS. He has written extensively on azaleas, rhododendrons, and other native plants. His articles have appeared in the Journal American Rhododendron Society; The Azalean, magazine of ASA, NativeSCAPE, the GNPS newsletter; Azalea Blooms, newsletter of the Azalea Chapter; and on this web site. He is currently the editor of Azalea Blooms. Ken is an expert propagator. Don't let his modesty fool you.
Telephone: (770) 401 8298
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Background:
- MA Washington University (math)
- Retired Norfolk Southern Corp. (Operations Research)
Possible Topics:
- Native Azaleas
- Native Understory Plants
- Native Plant Rescue
John Kohli
John and his wife Teddy live near Dahlonega, GA and have a magnificent garden on a hilly lot with a flowing rocky stream. Azaleas form the main theme of the garden, containing both evergreen and deciduous varieties. John is an azalea enthusiast - a hybridizer, propagator, horticulturist, collector, and explorer. John has developed a particularly beautiful set of his own hybrid evergreen azaleas. He is a member of both the American Rhododendron Society and the Azalea Society of America. In the early 1970s, a friend introduced John to azaleas. His main interest now is native azaleas.
Telephone: (404) 273 4608
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Background:
- BS Biology, Wisconsin State University Stevens Point
- U.S. Army medical laboratory specialist
- Semi-retired, owner Kohlmont Inc. Medical Sales
Possible topics:
- Propagation
- Full presentation: Native Azaleas, Evergreen Azaleas, Species, and Exbury Azaleas
