On Wednesday, Sept. 20, Jeff O’Donal of O’Donal’s Nursery will be teaching a workshop titled “All About Rhododendrons: Cultivation, Cultivars, and Ongoing Care.”

This special program highlighting the treasures of the Giles Rhododendron Garden, one of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ first gardens, is being offered in honor of CMBG’s 10 year anniversary. Jeff O'Donal, instrumental in selecting the diverse rhododendron collection over a decade ago, will present a highly informative class on the world of rhododendrons in New England. Participants will learn about rhododendron cultivation, propagation, growth habits, and winter preparation, along with details of new and traditional species and cultivars.

Jeff O’Donal is a recipient of the Al Black Lifetime Achievement Award for Horticulture and is currently the president of the Agricultural Council of Maine (AGCOM) and the president of the Cumberland County Chapter of the Maine Farm Bureau. Jeff previously served as president of the Ornamental Horticulture Council of Maine (OHC) and president of the Independent Garden Centers of Maine (IGC). He is a 1977 graduate of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts. He was also an adjunct professor of horticulture at Southern Maine Community College from 1988 to 2002. His years of experience growing, selling and propagating rhododendrons have made him an encyclopedia of these plants.

Come and celebrate the Giles Rhododendron Garden. The class will tour through the garden as well as enjoy slideshow imagery of its phenomenal spring blossoms. The program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 20. Participants can register online or call Taylor Eddy at 633-8012.