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CHAPTER CONTACTS: President – Chris Wetmore - chriscwetmore@yahoo.com

Vice President – Don Halsey - dogwoodatnc@bellsouth.net Treasurer – Jim Wetmore - jimwetmore99@yahoo.com

Editor – Nick Presnell – nickpresnell@gmail.com

Letter and welcome from the President

Let me start off by introducing our new editor, chapter member Nick Presnell. Nick will be putting together the newsletters for our chapter from now on. If you have items you would like in the newsletter please send them to Nick at nickpresnell@gmail.com or myself at chriscwetmore@yahoo.com.

A lot has happened recently that has been sent out in email updates, some sad news and some happy news. Chapter member Jim Jeffcoat passed away, my wife and I gave birth to our first child, and associate chapter member Bob Stelloh passed away. Obituaries for both Jeff and Bob are included later in this newsletter. Because our chapter is so new, I did not yet know Jim Jeffcoat. I did know Bob and I would like to say a few things about him. Bob and his wife Audrey, who is the President of the ASA Vaseyi chapter based in the Asheville, NC area, had not yet made it to a Central Carolinas meeting but they joined to watch our chapter grow. Several Central Carolinas members were positively affected by Bob directly and he has indirectly affected everyone in our chapter. Before the existence of Central Carolinas several of our members would drive up to the meetings in Asheville. Bob was a shining light on that chapter and one of the chapter founders. He will forever be remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Chapter Member Eve Harrison remembers Bob Stelloh: “Bob's generosity knew no bounds. When I was visiting a nursery a few years ago I was thrilled to find S.D. Coleman and Millie Mac. After we returned and planted these fine deciduous examples, Bob and John Brown and Ken Gohring stopped in some months later on their way to New York for a rhododendron convention. I was moved and delighted as they spent

quite a long time observing plants, sites and the mountains. We finally got down to the blooming S D Coleman and Millie Mac where I remarked that it seemed that it was far too soon for the 'Coleman' to be blooming. Somebody pulled out an eye magnifier to examine its parts. They soon decided it was an arborescens. A couple of months later the nursery owner called me and said a bird had told him I bought a plant that was mislabeled and he was sending me a 'real' S.D. Coleman which he immediately did. I found out finally it was Bob who contacted the nursery owner, all on the quiet.

I was so happy when Bob met Audrey because he had been so lonely and sad since his wife's death. He was as giddy as a boy and traveled to New York just to see her again, having just met her at the "Bald" with the gang.”

Not to continue with the sadness but the Vaseyi chapter was dealt a double loss when Ed Collins passed away on July 20. Ed Collins obituary can be accessed here. The chapter sent cards to the families of the Jeffcoat’s, Stelloh’s, and Collins’s. Ed Collins was another figurehead of the Vaseyi chapter and the American Rhododendron Society in which he earned many awards.

Back to chapter news, we have some great meetings coming up this fall. There will be many opportunities to learn about propagating and growing as well as obtaining plants this fall. Please see upcoming meetings detail later in this newsletter for more info. We are in the process of finalizing some trips for 2015 and the dates for 2015 meetings will be released soon. I am looking forward to all that the rest of 2014 has to bring.

Chris Central Carolinas Chapter President

Central Carolinas ChapterAzalea Society of America

Summer 2014 Newsletter

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May 25th Meeting Recap

Larry Mellichamp gave an interactive talk on how to pollinate an azalea. The chapter members also went on a guided walk in Van Landingham Glen with Larry. Chapter members went home with many free plants as over 15 plants were given away to members present.

Larry talking with group

Picture of a bigleaf magnolia in bloom. This tree was first discovered in 1795 near Charlotte and can be

found wild in the southeast US.

Several people inquired about how to label a cross once you have made it: Ron Rabideau, Manager of RareFind Nursery, says: “I use narrow, 1/2" wide

flagging tape and write the cross on it with a Sharpie while the tape is still on the roll. It's hard

to write on it after you unroll it. Keep the tape taught while writing for best results. It comes

many colors, I use the lighter ones because they are easier to read the writing. I leave a "tail" about 6-8 inches long. You can make a knot and slide it over the stigma or stigmas and pull gently. To purchase

flagging tape online click here.

UPCOMING MEETINGS: All to be held at UNCC at 2pm

July 27 - GROWING EVERGREEN AZALEAS FROM CUTTINGS - Chapter members Sandy Yakob and Danny Little will be presenting a lesson on growing evergreen azaleas from cuttings. If you aren't into evergreens don't skip out just yet. These propagation methods can be applied to many plants. You will be taught how to take cuttings and grow them.

September 28 - CUTTING EXCHANGE. Members can bring cuttings of azaleas, as well as other plants, to this meeting. If you do not have cuttings to bring that is ok. You do not have to bring cuttings to obtain cuttings. Cuttings are free. This is a great way to expand your collection for very little cost and obtain plants not commercially available. We will also go over how to band your trees to “attempt” to protect your yard from the evil fall cankerworms that the Charlotte area is inundated with.

November 16 (earlier in month due to Thanksgiving) - GROWING AZALEAS FROM SEED AND END OF YEAR BANQUET - J Jackson and Lindy Johnson will be presenting the first of a two part series on growing from seed. The second part will be in the spring. There will be a silent auction at this meeting for some large and medium sized rare azaleas and many other plants such as rhododendrons and edgeworthia (if you have plants you would like to contribute please contact me). We will also have some smaller difficult to obtain plug size azaleas for $2 each which is called “plants for members” and limits so everyone may obtain some. We will also have food at this meeting. More info on how the food will be handled to come. THIS MEETING IS ONLY OPEN TO CHAPTER MEMBERS.

Note: If you have a friend who is not yet a member and they want to join they can join at the September 28 and November 16 meetings. If someone is not planning on joining we are keeping these two meetings closed to members. A membership application is included on the last page of this newsletter.

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Plants for Members

The first annual Plants for Members will be at the November 16 banquet. Barring any unforeseen

circumstance the plants on this page and the next will be available in plug/liner size at a cost of $2 per plant. We will have 50 plants of each variety. Depending on how many members we have at the meeting will determine

how many plants each member can purchase. With membership currently in the mid 30’s each member

would receive at least one of each. If membership grows by then or attendance is low this will change what each

member can purchase. This is a program to provide members plants at very little cost. Please remember these

are small plants. Small plants require a little more attention to get going than larger plants. They are two to

three years from blooming depending on care and fertilization. You would be lucky to find a few of these plants locally but most are not readily available yet. All of these plants are deciduous azaleas; it just worked out

that way this year. In future years we will offer evergreen azaleas and even non-azaleas. In future years we can take suggestions or requests nominated by the

group and attempt to accommodate them. TC beside the plant name stands for tissue culture. This means the

plant is an exact clone and the bloom will look the same. SG stands for seed grown and there could be some

variability in the bloom.

Siskin – TC

Knap Hill hybrid, large yellow flowers mid-late spring, fragrant. Knap Hill azaleas are crosses of R.

molle, R. calendulaceum, R. arborescens, and R. occidentale.

Razzberry - TC

Earl Sommerville hybrid. Cross between R. flammeum x R. periclymenoides.

Jack Melton - TC

A red flammeum selection from the wild from Earl Sommerville. Blooms April-May.

R . colemanii - SG

White blooms often with a yellow blotch in May. Native to Alabama.

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R. viscosum - SG

Called swamp azalea, white fragrant flowers late June-July.

Pennsylvania - TC

Weston Nursery hybrid. Slight fragrance, blooms July-August. Resulted from a cross of

R. prunifolium x R. viscosum.

Skipper Lane Prunifolium – TC

Kelly Strickland selection of R. prunifolium. Orangey red flowers. Blooms July-August.

Jake’s Red - TC

A flammeum selection from Earl Sommerville. When the plant is mature the flowers form what is called a

ball truss. Blooms April-May.

R. austrinum “Tropicana” - SG

A selection of austrinum found along the Escambia River in Florida by Ron Miller. Fragrant.

Early bloomer, late March-late April.

R. atlanticum - SG

Called the coastal or spice azalea, white and often with a pink flush. Spicy fragrance.

Blooms May-June.

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Bald Eagle keeping an eye on the convention goers.

Chris and Beth Wetmore on Bridge at Magnolia Plantation.

Beth Wetmore lost in a maze of Azalea Blooms.

Another bridge in Magnolia Plantation.

Crape Myrtle with red bark and Spanish Moss.

Azalea in bloom.

Peacock at Middleton Place. ASA Members crossing bridge in Magnolia Plantation

Photos From The 2014 ASA Convention In Charleston, South Carolina.

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Small pony saying hello at Middleton Place.

Alligator watching us on boat tour at Cypress Gardens.

Bald Cypress roots.

Bridge used in movie “The Patriot” at Cypress Gardens,

Obituary for James Lever Jeffcoat

Mr. James Lever “Jim” Jeffcoat, 69, of Blythewood,

went to his heavenly home Monday, July 7, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born August 5, 1944 in Columbia, he was a son of the late James Earl Jeffcoat and Ferol Lever Jeffcoat Taylor. Jim grew up helping his grandfather on his farm in Cedar Creek, and this experience, combined with his wife's passion for gardening, led to the creation of their beautiful world renowned garden and successful business, Singing Oakes Garden. They were active members of the American Hemerocallis Society and were awarded many regional and national awards, most recently the highest honor for meritorious service, The Helen Field Fischer Service Award and The Steve Moldovan Mentoring Award. They were also members of The American Iris Society. Jim was an accomplished woodworker and his craftsmanship is evident throughout the home and garden.

Jim was a member of the Blythewood Masonic Lodge. He was employed by the US Postal Service for 34 years, and served as Postmaster at the Blythewood Post Office for 29 years until his retirement October 1999. He so enjoyed his connection with the community through his service as Postmaster. Jim was a member of Sandy Level Baptist Church, having served faithfully as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for many years.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 41 years, Peggy Blume Norton Jeffcoat; daughters, Gayle Norton George, Judith Norton Brown (Col. Scott Brown, Ret.), Tonya Jeffcoat Trivett (Kevin); a son, Alex Jeffcoat; grandchildren, Michelle Zeigler (Blair), Paige Brown, Stephan Jeffcoat; great grandchildren, Colton and Arrington Zeigler; and a sister, Ann Jeffcoat McMahon. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brother, David Jeffcoat.

The family is most grateful to the staff of South Carolina Oncology Associates, Dr. Bryan Willard of Carolina Urology Partners, Cheryl Evans of Intramed and most especially his dedicated nurses, Michelle and Blair Zeigler, granddaughter and grandson, who cared for him throughout his brave battle with cancer. We also appreciate the love and care of his Sunday School classmates.

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A Celebration of the Life of Bob Stelloh

(1934-2014)

Robert “Bob” Theodore Stelloh, of Hendersonville,

North Carolina died at home Tuesday July, 15th, 2014. He died peacefully in his sleep, 4 days short of his 80th birthday after a long illness.

Bob was an ardent member of the Azalea Society of America, serving first as a National Director from 1986-1988; he became Treasurer in 1995 and served until 2007. He designed, set up and managed the ASA website around 2001/2002 along with the Yahoo Group, Azaleas (2003). Perhaps, his collection of thousands of pictures of azalea plants, azalea places and azalea people will be the part of his legacy that is best remembered. These are available on the Azalea website under Pictures.

While attending the ASA National Convention in Charleston in 2000, Bob and a small group proposed the formation of the Vaseyi Chapter and agreed to host the next Convention in 2001. Bob served as Treasurer of the Vaseyi Chapter until shortly before his death. He was directly involved in hosting three national ASA Conventions, traveling thousands of miles collecting plants, handling finances, organizing tours and Registrations. Before moving to Hendersonville, Bob and his late wife of 38 years, Denise Stelloh, were active in the Brookside Gardens Chapter and were a big part of the group that established and maintained the George Harding Garden.

When Bob retired, he moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina where he pursued his passion for gardening, especially his love of azaleas and rhododendrons. The Stelloh Garden is his legacy, a work of art featuring over 1000 different azalea cultivars. He mapped his garden beds and tracked precise plant locations and detailed plant descriptions using a computer program he developed and named “Garden Information Manager”. GIM was purchased and is used by several Arboretums and Botanic Gardens including the Lewis Ginter Garden in Richmond VA. The Stelloh Garden has been featured on numerous national and local garden tours, during which visitors couldn’t help but appreciate Bob‘s genuine, friendly spirit, his keen interest in sharing garden knowledge and experiences, and his overall love of life.

Bob had an abiding interest in sharing the knowledge of azaleas and other garden plants with others. Unfailingly, he would appear at Chapter meeting with plants for door prizes, each with its own story. His knowledge and attention to detail made him a bottomless source of information. As Chris Wetmore said “I will never forget how nice he was when I was a new member. I joined right before the Asheville convention. At the very next Vaseyi meeting surplus plants were sold. I was still learning and didn't know anyone at the meeting. He was so kind and helpful answering questions and helping me pick out plants. He must have spent 30 minutes helping me. He was so tickled at how interested I was in all the different azaleas. He had a wonderful spirit that I hope we can all carry on.”

Jean Pace, one of the kindest people on earth remembers Bob this way. “We have a great respect for Bob and always enjoyed talking to him. He helped me a lot with computer problems and helped me start a web page for my High School Classmates. One time he actually used an idea I had for a spread sheet for a truss show, saying”that was so simple why didn’t I think of it”. Then he realized how it sounded – apologized profusely - then we both had a good laugh. I told him I could never be mad or upset with him but I would use it for blackmail one day.

April Sanborn, Past President Vaseyi Chapter and long time azaleaophyle, recalled one of many stories about Bob. “Many years ago a bunch of us made regular trips to Copper Bald. As many of you know, the first part of that hike is a bit steep. I have asthma and sometimes when I start out on a hike like this too fast I start to have wheezing and difficulty breathing. Well, that happened on this occasion and I couldn't keep up. Everyone disappeared up the trail. Everyone, except Bob. He saw what was happening and came back down the trail and stayed with me and then walked at my pace till I could breathe easier and continue. It was a small act of kindness, but very typical of him. I have never forgotten this.

My favorite story involves the Hooper Bald Restoration Project. In 2010, a small group gathered on the Bald to remove unwanted vegetation and allow the R. calendulaceum and cumberlandense to grow. Jim Brant brought an attractive young lady to me and asked that I help her get started. I gathered Bob and took them to an area deep in the brush and pointed out an azalea that needed releasing. Audrey immediately spotted two more and started working. The rest of the story is, as they say, history. Bob and Audrey were married within the year and had four wonderful years together.

These are only a few glimpses into the person who was a friend to many, and a mainstay of the Azalea Society. He will be sorely missed.

Azalea Society of America Membership Application Name(s) – use an & between the names of joint members Street Address City, State, Postal Code, Country Area Code and Telephone Number ❍ Restrict to ASA Business Use Only Email Address ❍ Restrict to ASA Business Use Only Membership Class ❍ Individual ❍ Joint ❍ Organization Membership Level ❍ Regular .............$30 ❍ Regular (overseas)....... $40 ❍ Contributing.......$50 ❍ Sustaining .......$100 ❍ Life (one payment) ..... $600

❍ Endowment .....$200 ❍ Life (same, overseas). $800 Annual amounts above $30 are contributions to the non-profit 501(c)(3) Azalea Society and may be tax deductible.

Choice of Chapter

❍ Alabamense (AL) ❍ Oconee (GA) ❍ Ben Morrison (MD,DC,VA,DE) ❍ Rev. John Drayton (SC) ❍ Cape Fear (NC,SC) ❍ Southern California (CA) ❍ Central Carolinas (NC,SC) ❍ Texas (TX) ❍ Lake Michigan (MI,IL,WI) ❍ Tri-State (IN,IL,KY) ❍ Louisiana (LA) ❍ Vaseyi (NC,SC,TN) ❍ Northern Virginia (VA,MD,DC) ❍ At Large (no chapter)

Payment

After completing the application, please make your check payable in US funds to the Azalea Society of America, and mail them both to

Dan Krabill, ASA Treasurer 6009 Copely Lane McLean VA 22101-2507

You may instead join us online at www.azaleas.org and pay by credit card at www.paypal.com with payment sent to dkrabill@gmail.com (you do not need a PayPal account to do this).

12.11..2013