Brian Coker,
'Stoneycrop'
ph. 027 434 8383

Brian, together with wife Helen, have had an interest in rhododendrons spanning more than 40 years.  Brian's uncle and aunt, Ron and Mollie Coker were early members of NZRA and through them they passed on a love for the genus.  Both Brian and Helen have dabbled in hybridising and propagation over the years with R. 'Jonathan Coker' registered for their son.  Following the Christchurch earthquake in 2011, in which Brian lost both legs, they built a new home at West Melton near Christchurch and established a new garden on a flat 3600m2 with more room for rhododendrons and a varied selection of other plants, particularly acers, cornus, viburnums, peonies, hostas and lilies as well as a growing collection of bulbs, alpines and perennials.

Brian has been the New Zealand Rhododendron Registrar for nearly 20 years and in that role assists and facilitates the registration of new cultivars and selected forms of species with the Royal Horticultural Society.