Every mid May to mid June Mississaugans and visitors are treated to a splendid apparition of pink, fuchia, lavender, red and white revealing itself in the Lakeshore Rd. landscape of  west Port Credit.  This jewel-like splendour beckons, “Come in, look at me, enjoy me.’

Rhododendron Gardens is a unique natural landscape where  rhododendrons successfully thrive.  A rare microclimate moderated by Lake Ontario, wind shelter, diffuse light under an evergreen canopy and a special amassing of acidic soil all contribute to the health of  these ericaceous plants.

Rhododendron passion and hybridizing fervour propelled the late Dr. Joseph Brueckner to spend years propagating rhodo breeds that could survive cold climates and grow productively in a natural setting.  His Mississauga property was home to four thousand rhodo and azalea bushes.  In the late 1980’s when creek reconstruction endangered this collection,  the City worked with Dr. Brueckner  to save many plants.  Subsequently, he donated almost a thousand cultivars to create a new public garden.  Formerly known as Cranberry Cove, this site became Rhododendron Gardens.

Over the years the City had endeavoured to maintain  the shrubs, but without a specialized gardener’s care,  the rhodos and azaleas matured  into general disrepair, sickened and some even died.

With the ‘greening’ movement in full swing, the City created a Stewardship program to help restore, protect and preserve its Parks.  In the spring of 2007 Cloverleaf Garden Club was approached to help, and today the Rhododendron Committee has the mandate to  provide volunteer muscle power and gardening expertise.     

Club volunteers have already spent several sessions getting aquainted with Dr. Brueckner’s rhododendrons.  Under the direction of the newly appointed Chief Gardener/ Master Gardener, Para Kanp, members have been weeding, clearing out dead branches and deadheading the spent blossoms.

What a  horticultural gem to visit and experience!

New volunteers are welcome.