“Connecting Plants and People” 

2026 National Conifer Society Meeting hosted by the Western Region 

 It has been seven years since the Western Region hosted the ACS National Meeting, and our conference site committee, led by Vinny and Cindi Grasso, is ready and excited to welcome everyone back. Those who have been here before will be reminded of the Pacific Northwest’s beauty and its rich plant diversity. First time visitors will be blown away! Oregon is Conifer Country – more evergreen landscape plants are grown in Oregon than in any other state in the nation. 

EVENT TICKET PRICING

Member Pricing:
$450 Early Bird Registration until April 25, 2026
$500 Regular Registration until May 25, 2026

Non-member Pricing:
$490 Early Bird Registration until April 25, 2026
$540 Regular Registration until May 25, 2026

VIP Tour Add On:
$400 until sold out
(must also be registered for the National Meeting)

Cancellation fee: $75
No refunds after June 1.
 

Schedule  |  Gardens  |  Speakers  |  VIP Tour  |  Hotel & Travel |  Auction  |  Plant Sale  |  Merch  |  Things to See  |  Sponsors  |  Fine Print

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
(all days include tons of fun)
***Complete detailed schedule will be available to attendees onsite.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Open gardens on your own
VIP Tour - additional fees apply; 26 max

Thursday, June 25, 2026
Open gardens on your own
9:00 – 11:00 ACS Board Meeting (open to all ACS Members; contact an officer for information)
9:00 – 4:00 Auction Setup (all are welcome to help!)
3:00 – 5:00 Registration Open
5:00 Happy Hour; Silent Auction Begins
6:00 Dinner; Speakers Jock Demme and Talon Buchholz

Friday, June 26, 2026
Breakfast included
Garden tours with bus transportation and lunch
5:00 Happy Hour; Silent Auction
6:00 Announcements; Dinner; Speaker Christopher Earle, PhD; Awards

Saturday, June 27, 2026
Breakfast included
Garden tours with bus transportation and lunch
5:00 Happy Hour
6:00 Announcements; Silent Auction ends; Dinner; Live Auction

Sunday, June 28, 2026
7:00 – 9:00 Morning Tailgate Sale
Open gardens on your own


OPEN GARDENS
(pre- and post tours; you are responsible for your own transportation)

- Open and available for touring before and after the core meeting
- You are responsible for your own transportation; drive on your own
- Meeting registration required to tour; addresses to be sent after registration and closer to the meeting

TOUR GARDENS
(bus excursions offered Friday and Saturday; transportation provided)

Bus excursions on Friday and Saturday include two days of viewing and enjoying a diversity of conifer specimens, from miniatures to full-sized, set within stunning landscapes. See fine print below for mobility accommodations and transportation expectations.

Iseli Nursery
The landscape surrounding their office is a must-see, unforgettable experience, Jean Iseli had a vision. Unlike other collectors, who found the value of their plants in their rarity, Jean loved them for themselves and for their beauty, like works of art. He wanted to share his love with the world. Jean was a gentle, deliberate man of infinite intelligence.

The intensity of his early years as a mathematician transformed in1975 to an intensity for plants, especially rare and dwarf conifers and Japanese maples. Jean voraciously studied plants and communicated with collectors and plant lovers worldwide. His brother André constructed the Jean Iseli Memorial Garden as a celebration of Jean’s passion and persistence. It is truly world-renowned. 

The Oregon Garden’s Conifer Garden
Completed in 2000. You will enjoy how the garden has transformed and matured into its renowned world-class status. Oregon Garden, boasts one of the largest collections of dwarf and miniature conifers in the United States. Some are one-of-a-kind specimens collected from around the world. The garden also includes a variety of companion plants such as Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), daphnes (Daphne), and heathers and heaths (Calluna, Erica, and Daboecia).

This unique specialty garden was built in partnership with the Western Region of the American Conifer Society. The Western Region provides ongoing expertise to ensure the Conifer Garden remains one of the finest showcases for conifers in the country.

Buchholz Nursery
The Arboretum traces its roots back to 1980, when its owner, Talon Buchholz, embarked on a journey to create a remarkable collection of trees. Talon purchased the property in stages and began collecting trees in 1981. The arboretum’s inception began with the acquisition of six Japanese maples from J. D. Vertrees, some of which still thrive within its grounds. To support the collection, Buchholz and Buchholz Nursery was established, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship that endures to this day. Talon and his team traveled the globe to study and procure plants from numerous renowned nurseries and collections, sourcing plant material for the Flora Wonder Arboretum. The arboretum stands as a sanctuary of botanical diversity, offering a profound appreciation of the world’s plant species. What began as a hobby has evolved into a profound way of life for Talon and his team. “Flora,” the Roman goddess of plants, and “wonder,” derived from the Old English wundor and ultimately related to the modern German Wunder, collectively form the evocative and resonant name “Flora Wonder Arboretum”—a testament to the awe and admiration inspired by the natural world. The Flora Wonder Arboretum encapsulates the passion and dedication of its founder, serving as a testament to the splendor and diversity of the world’s flora.

Now part of the Mr. Maple family, Matt and Tim Nichols plan to continue and expand Buchholz and Buchholz Nursery’s legacy. 

Mike Stewart Garden
The Stewart Garden is located on 80 acres, where Mike and Maria Stewart operated Dover Nursery during the last 45 years. Although Mike is now retired, and Maria has passed, Dover Nursery was well known throughout the country for growing exceptionally high-quality rhododendrons and for a diversity of both species and hybrid rhododendrons not found elsewhere in the industry. Offerings included some 1,200 varieties of rhododendrons from standard to rare and unusual. The display garden covers 4.5 acres and features not only rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) but also an outstanding selection of deciduous trees, perennial plants, and conifers, both standard and dwarf. The wide grass pathways offer easy walking and viewing, and the stroll through the “species trail” in the forested section of the garden displays unique Sino-Himalayan species rhododendrons. The collection and grounds represent a lifetime of passion for exceptional plants that are beautiful year-round.

Grasso Garden
Cindi and Vinny Grasso reside at the end of a dead-end road on 23 acres at the western edge of Woodburn, Oregon, bordered by Champoeg Creek. It’s a peaceful, private setting with 11 acres of woods and six acres of open field. The Grassos uniquely display their 1,000 labeled plants on 2 1⁄2 acres in vignettes following meandering paths. The extensive collection boasts several unusual cultivars. It’s the combination of variety and placement that makes this a garden like no other. Their collection boasts more than 700 conifer taxa, which include 36 firs (Abies), 37cedars (Cedrus), 41 false cypresses (Chamaecyparis), 15 cryptomerias (Cryptomeria), 29 junipers (Juniperus), 96 spruces (Picea), 153 pines (Pinus), and many more, including 39 maples (Acer).

Myron Kuenzi
In January 2016, Myron and Diane Kuenzi began building their home on a hillside on one of their nursery properties. For more than two years, they worked to bring in dozens of truckloads of local soil to backfill around the house and build planting beds. Using an excavator and track machine with forks, and another dozen truckloads, they filled the property with native rock with moss and lichen from the family’s canyon and pasture property to use in combination plantings of trees and shrubs. Even more truckloads of quarry boulders arrived to build retaining walls along the driveway, and the work finished in 2017. During this time, Myron began tagging and collecting specimen-grade trees from local nurseries.

In early June of 2018, Diane was diagnosed with a fast-moving cancer, and she passed in September of 2018. We all know the therapeutic power of garden design, plant selection, and procurement! Especially the hard work on machines and hand shovels to place trees and plants. The project grew by three times, finishing in the summer of 2019.

Please take some time to enjoy this labor of love. Visit the lower garden off the deck staircase. It includes a fire pit for family gatherings. Myron has named the area the Diane Kuenzi Memorial Garden as a tribute to a loving wife and mother.

Sebright Garden
At Sebright Gardens, there are four acres of gardens and landscaping for guests to enjoy. The well-tended, mostly shade gardens were started in 2003 as private gardens. Fast forward to today, owners Kirk Hansen and Thomas Johnson have added many more acres for expanding garden beds, a mail-order and retail nursery, and the ambiance of surrounding agriculture typical of the area. They are known for a fantastic variety of hostas (Hosta), ferns, and barrenworts (Epimedium).

Western Evergreen
Western Evergreen was established in 2001 by Jason and Steffanie Hupp. First, they grew basics like Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) and Colorado spruce (Picea pungens). To expand and meet industry demand, they added grafted conifers. Since then, they have concentrated on the newer, superior cultivars. Jason is always on the hunt for the next great plant and is entirely focused on producing grafted conifers.

With the knowledge and experience of other family members in the industry, they have introduced exciting new cultivars to the market, such as Thuja plicata ‘Whipcord’ (western red-cedar) and Acer palmatum ‘Hupp’s Dwarf’ (Japanese maple). They are currently evaluating many more plants for future potential. On our tour, Jason will feature his latest findings and the entertaining stories behind their discovery.

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SPEAKERS / PRESENTATIONS

Thursday After Dinner
Jean Iseli: A Man with a Passion for Plants
presented by Jock Demme, Sales Representative, Iseli Nursery

Over 50 Years ago a singular vision took shape to “build the finest dwarf conifer nursery in the world”. – Jean Iseli. In 1975 with this inspirational mentor, whimsical creativity and methodical planning Iseli Nursery took shape...

After 5 years of building his dream Jean Iseli imagined something bigger that could bring more enthusiasts together, an idea to help form a society that can share the knowledge and passion for conifers. In 1983 ACS was born with the efforts of Jean and others.

For five decades and counting the goal of Iseli Nursery has remained unchanged: to cultivate the highest quality plants possible and to introduce not only new varieties to the market, but exceptional improvements on beloved classics. This commitment is reflected throughout our product offerings from the enduring charm of our TruDwarf®, Jack Frost®, Pacific Rim®, and Iseli® Blues collections, to the treasured cultivars you’ve grown to know and love.

Along with the Iseli history, Jock will share details of the nursery tour and answer any questions.

Jock Demme has represented Iseli Nursery for more than three decades, sharing his knowledge and passion for the history and influence of Jean Iseli to the industry and to the conifer world.


Thursday After Dinner
20 Trees with Talon Buchholz
presented by Talon Buchholz, Founder, Buchholz & Buchholz Nursery

At Buchholz & Buchholz Nursery, conifers and maples aren’t just plants – they’re living sculptures, each with a personality that stops you in your tracks. Among the thousands grown here, the 20 most extraordinary specimens form a dazzling collection of colors, shapes, and textures: electrifying blues, luminous golds, perfectly sculpted dwarfs, and towering architectural forms that feel almost mythical. These standout specimens showcase the full artistry of the genera, from rare cultivars with swirling, whimsical habits to stately classics honed over decades of expert care. Together, they create an unforgettable tour that celebrates the beauty, diversity, and sheer wonder of the world’s finest – all in one remarkable place.

Talon Buchholz will share the "can't miss" specimens and prepare you for a tour experience that will exceed your expectations. Our volunteers will post identifying signs to ensure you check each one off your WOW list.


Friday After Dinner
The Oldest Conifers in the World
presented by Christopher J. Earle, PhD

Humans love to identify with trees. We can look at an ancient temple or a ruined city with objective eyes, but the idea that a tree has witnessed events thousands of years ago is a trigger for the imagination. In this talk we'll discuss age in trees: what it means in biological and ecological terms, and what it means for the relationship between humans and trees. Then we'll do a travelogue, covering the globe to look at twenty or so species of trees that are known to live well beyond 1,000 years, bringing up some photos and stories of these ancients. We'll also save some time for questions and discussion at the end of the talk. 

Dr. Earle is a forest ecologist specializing in global conifer dominated systems, particularly in relation to their responses to principal 21st-century disturbances such as fire suppression, climate change, and development. His professional experience includes analyses of major project effects on threatened and endangered species, designing and implementing environmental monitoring programs, designing projects to perform in an environmentally friendly manner, preparing and negotiating an array of federal and state environmental permits, managing watershed-level studies of forestry, grazing and agricultural impacts to stream channels and riparian ecosystems and developing programmatic solutions to minimize such impacts. His current work focuses on writing about the systematics and biology of conifers, chiefly through his website, the Gymnosperm Database at www.conifers.org. He also writes photographs and lectures about conifer forests in venues ranging from professional journals to magazines, blogs, and popular books.

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VIP Tour - Wednesday, June 24th 
(extra fee applies; 26 max; waitlist request)

Step into a world of curated beauty, fine flavors, and refined comfort. Our VIP Garden Tour offers an intimate, limited-availability experience that blends the serene elegance of the Pacific Northwest’s most stunning gardens with the indulgence of local food, wine, and luxury travel.  Must also register for National Meeting.  See the CQ for full details.

What to Expect:

• Private Access to breathtaking, hand-selected gardens at the peak of seasonal beauty
• Gourmet Tastings featuring regional cuisine crafted from locally-sourced ingredients
• Wine Pairings from premier Pacific Northwest vineyards
• Luxury Limo Shuttle service to and from each location for a seamless, stylish experience
• Expert Guided Tours by horticulture and design professionals who bring each garden's story to life
• A View From Above end the day with stunning panoramic views of Portland, enjoying a fine dining experience at The Charthouse Restaurant

This is more than a tour – it's an immersive celebration of nature, craftsmanship, and community. Whether you're a garden enthusiast, a wine lover, or simply in search of an unforgettable day, this experience is designed for you.

Additional fees will apply. 

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ACS MERCHANDISE PRE-ORDER

Celebrate the American Conifer Society’s 2026 National Meeting with exclusive logo apparel that brings our spirit of – Connecting Plants and People – to life. Each piece is selected to enjoy during the event and for long after, all while supporting the community and our society. Whether you’re exploring extraordinary gardens, networking with fellow coneheads, or simply sharing your love of conifers wherever you go, our high-quality apparel lets you wear your ACS pride with style, comfort, and purpose. 

Items (fleece vest, long sleeve henley, and hat) will be offered at check out on the registration form. Pick up will be at the meeting. 

PLANT AUCTION

Join us!  Silent Auction Thursday – Saturday.  Live auction Saturday night.  Bring cash to avoid credit card fees.  All plants will be given to the highest bidders (silent and live auction) at the end of the live auction.  

AUCTION PLANT DONATIONS

Donations are accepted Thursday 9:00 - 4:00. Please contact Vinny or Larry with list of plants and items so auction tags can be prepped ahead.

SUNDAY MORNING TAILGATE PLANT SALE

If you have questions or want to be a Sunday morning vendor, please contact Vinny or Larry.

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THINGS TO SEE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

A Pacific Northwest trip offers stunning diverse landscapes from Seattle's quirkiness to Portland's charm, the volcanic peaks of Rainier and St. Helens to Crater Lake, and the lush Olympic rainforest, to our prized and dramatic Oregon Coast, filling a week with wonders is easily accomplished. We offer several links to help you mark a few sites and adventures off your bucket list.

Oregon State Resources:
Travel Oregon: www.traveloregon.com
Travel Portland: www.travelportland.com

Near (10-60 min)
The Pittock Mansion: https://pittockmansion.org/
Tualatin: traveloregon.com/paces-to-go/cities/tualatin
Willamette Valley Wines: https://www.willamettewines.com/
Silver Falls State Park: visitsilverfalls.com
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry: www.omsi.edu
Powell’s City of Books: www.powells.com

Afar (60+ mins)
Astoria: www.travelastoria.com
Columbia River Gorge: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/columbiarivergorge
Multnomah Falls: https://www.travelportland.com/region/multnomah-falls/
The Oregon Coast: https://visittheoregoncoast.com/
Timberline Lodge: https://timberlinelodge.com/
Crater Lake: https://explorecraterlake.com/

Your 2026 Committee Chairs are happy to offer any suggestions for fun!  Please feel free to connect with us at [email protected].

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Hotel Details

A block of sleeping rooms has been contracted at the Holiday Inn Portland South (I-5 S, Wilsonville), 25425 South 95th Avenue, Portland, OR 97070

Special National Meeting Discounted Room Rate: $139 per night, plus taxes
Reservation Deadline: Book by June 2, 2026, or before the block fills, whichever comes first. This discounted rate is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and includes dates pre- and post-meeting based on space availability.

Hotel Reservations

• Click this link to reserve your room at the discounted rate
• Call the Hotel Reservations Department (503.682.2211) before the June 2 cut-off date and mention “ACS” to receive the discounted rate
  
• Or, use the QR code below to book your reservation at the discounted group rate
• No hotel shuttle from the airport
• FREE HOTEL PARKING

Hotel Cancellations
Reservation cancellations may be made up to 48 hours prior to arrival, or they will be charged for the first night’s room rate and taxes.

Hotel check-in: 3 pm
Hotel check-out: 12 noon

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TRAVEL INFO

• For out-of-town attendees, Portland international Airport (PDX) offers more than 800 flights per day with 82 nonstop destinations.
• While there is no shuttle service from the airport to our hotel, there are the usual taxi services, Uber, and Lift choices available.

FINE PRINT

• Cancelations are $75 to cover administrative costs
• No refunds after June 1, 2026
• Mobility – We will make every effort to accommodate those with mobility issues and to keep the tour flowing but note that all locations are not ADA compliant. Those with mobility issues should board the coaches first and deboard after the main group to keep the tour moving on time. 
• Driving your own car – Our private garden tours have approved our coach transportation and planned accordingly. Car transportation needs to be approved and is strongly discouraged due to inconvenience to the property owner and the smooth functioning of the tour. Contact the office for any related inquiries.
  

SPONSORS

Interested in supporting us? Contact the office for more information.