When
August 29, 2026
10:00 AM – Noon
This tour is offered in collaboration with the Northwest Horticultural Society
Have you ever wondered how a tiny fern spore grows into the lush foliage you find at a retail nursery? Join the Hardy Fern Foundation’s Nursery Manager Emily Joseph for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden/HFF fern collection, including the iconic stumpery, as you explore the fascinating journey of fern propagation and cultivation. Summer is prime time for spore collection, and Emily will demonstrate how to harvest spores from a variety of fern genera and give an overview of the fern life cycle. The tour includes a rare opportunity to visit the HFF hoop house at the RSBG production nursery, where you’ll see firsthand how ferns are propagated, nurtured and grown into beautiful, sale-ready plants. Whether you’re an experienced fern enthusiast or simply curious about the magic of fern cultivation, this look into the art and science of growing ferns from spore promises to be captivating and enlightening. Admission to the RSBG and the adjacent Pacific Bonsai Museum is included in the registration fee. Enjoy shopping in the RSBG retail nursery for rare plants of all kinds, including ferns from the HFF propagation program.
Speaker’s bio:
Emily holds dual roles, serving as the HFF nursery manager and the RSBG retail sales & assistant nursery manager. She oversees nursery operations, while propagating a diverse range of genera through cuttings, grafting, seeds and spores. As a Certified Professional Horticulturist, Emily advocates for sustainable practices and shares her knowledge through educational programs and written publications. She holds degrees in horticulture and fine art, blending scientific prowess with an artist’s creativity.