Steve Hootman is one of the major plant explorers in the world today, in the words of Keith White ‘an intrepid explorer along the lines of the great plant explorers of the early 20th century’.  I have spoken to no one among several people who have been on expeditions with Steve who didn’t praise him for his special style of participation on these expeditions—his intrepidity, his great knowledge of plants, his value as a comrade and colleague.  He also has the capacity to convey vividly the enthusiasm and excitement in undergoing difficult physical conditions and being rewarded with great plant discoveries.  He has certainly been involved as much as anyone in discovering species of rhododendrons that hadn’t been known before, and also adding to the gene pool of those already in cultivation.  Most of Steve’s travels have been in China and Tibet, but the evening of November 18^th Steve will speak on his latest trip: Exploring for plants in Northeast India.

As I wrote last year, when Steve spoke here about the Rhododendron Species Foundation itself, there are very few visiting speakers at VRS meetings who are invited back very frequently, year after year.  Those who are, are re-invited for good reason: because they are excellent speakers and because they have very interesting, new things to speak about.  And, generally, because we like them.  Steve Hootman, Co-Director of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, is one of this very small and elite group.  From past experience I have complete confidence that Steve will be heartily welcomed by VRS members.  The only problem that arises in repeat visits by people like Steve comes in writing something new about them in these biographical sketches, so much of the following is a repeat of earlier commentaries.

As most of you know, the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, is located in Federal Way, Washington, an undistinguished and drab suburb between Seattle and Tacoma.  For the benefit of newer members, I should mention that the many recent plant expeditions that have been carried out in Asia, by Steve Hootman and others, not only provide our gardens with beautiful new plants, but also contribute to the conservation of the species in their dissemination among gardeners, when they might otherwise be brought to extinction by destruction of their natural habitats.  This is where the RSF comes in.  Steve has gone on as many expeditions as anyone, bringing back propagating material collected in the wild.  Unlike most other botanical institutions, where the new discoveries are primarily to be seen in their own gardens, all the plants introduced through the Rhododendron Species Foundation are propagated and eventually offered for sale, with first choices going to members of the RSF.  At the same time, especially beautiful clones of more familiar species are vegetatively propagated and distributed in a like manner, with similar benefits to the horticultural world.  The RSF, and Steve particularly, also have much to contribute in the way of education about the natural species of rhododendrons.  And finally, the RSF Garden is in itself not only educational, but also beautiful, and becoming moreso under Steve’s, and his Co-Director Rick Peterson’s Directorship.  The RSF is vitally important as an organization to all of us who appreciate rhododendrons and natural plant habitats.  It’s always a pleasure for our members to welcome back this bright, young, articulate explorer, administrator and gardener. 

Steve Hootman