Frank Fujioka Tribute

By Ron Newberry, Garden Manager, Meerkerk Gardens

So many of Kaj Louis-Johnson’s fondest childhood memories take place on small farm on Whidbey Island where he’s surrounded by a forest of evergreen shrubs teeming with vibrant blooms.

“It was like being in a wonderland,” Kaj said. “It was a place of pure imagination, honestly.”

That farm was the place where Kaj’s great uncle, Frank Fujioka, created some of the rhododendron world’s most stunning masterpieces. Kaj grew up with a front row seat, but it wasn’t until he got a little older that he started realizing that “Uncle Frank” was becoming pretty hip in international rhododendron circles for the magnificent hybrids he was producing.

Kaj, now 43, shared his reflections on the remarkable life of Frank Fujioka, who passed away peacefully with family by his side at his home on Whidbey Island October 26. He was 87.

Fujioka is remembered not only for his extraordinary rhododendron creations such as Seaview Sunset, Starbright Champagne, Silver Skies and dozens of others, but also for his meticulous work ethic, his generosity, his wry sense of humor and other exemplary and inspirational qualities.

“Frank epitomized the ideal modern hybridizer, rhododendron enthusiast and all-around good and friendly person,” said Chip Muller, president of the Seattle Rhododendron Society chapter of the American Rhododendron Society.

Teaching was one of Fujioka’s other super-powers. He spent a career as an educator and counselor for the Edmonds School District. After retiring to his property on Whidbey in his early 50s, Fujioka began digging deeper into his passion for hybridizing rhododendrons and became a sought-after lecturer on that topic around the country and across the globe.

“He was renowned around the world for his rhododendron knowledge,” said Don Kohlenberger, vice-president of Meerkerk Gardens.

Inspired by other well-known Pacific Northwest hybridizers such as Halfdan Lem and Elsie Watson, Fujioka went to work attempting to pair the desired characteristics of two parent rhododendrons to create magical offspring. The 5-acre parcel across the road from where he built his retirement home was the setting for many decades of rhododendron trials with mixed results. The land was exposed to the harsher winds and full sun along Whidbey’s west side.

Fujioka’s discipline in his quest for a beauty that thrived under those conditions became legendary. The tinkering could sometimes take seven years to meet his satisfaction.

“Frank was scientific in his approach to hybridizing, keeping extensively detailed records, growing plants in stressful conditions to evaluate not only flowers but also health and appearance and great leaves, and ruthlessly discarded most,” Muller said. “But what really set him apart was his knowledge and intuition about which parents to choose. His named hybrids are excellent plants, and often so unique and special that they can’t be mis-identified.”

Kristi O’Donnell, former executive director of Meerkerk Gardens, knew Fujioka for more than 30 years. She described him as a man of great integrity who was held in high esteem not only in the rhododendron community but in the greater horticulture world. She remembered his days as active board member at Meerkerk, always showing his staunch support of the Gardens and always eager to share his time and knowledge with younger people interested in rhododendrons.

“Frank was so kind and generous,” said Karen Swenson, a longtime friend who shared a love of rhododendrons. “Groups from the Vancouver area or Victoria would come down to visit his garden. He’d open it up to just about anybody to come.”

“He was my mentor,” said Susie Reynolds, former nursery manager at Meerkerk Gardens. “When I took over the nursery, he was the one right there with me helping me every day. I loved him dearly.”

Fujioka also had a sense of humor and a quirkiness about him that left people shaking their heads.

“He hated red rhododendrons,” Reynolds said.

Many friends recall watching Fujioka pull off the magnificent red blossoms from a mature Taurus rhododendron that bordered his neighbor’s property. He mostly admired the foliage of that plant and felt the blooms took away from it.

“He kept it blooming on her side of the property but not on his,” Reynolds said.

Such stories make his great nephew laugh. He always watched with amazement and marveled at the discipline and patience his great uncle showed while tending the fields of rhododendrons in his quest for creating a plant that would bring happiness and inspiration to others.

Once he reached high school, Louis-Johnson would drive from Sammamish to the island and proudly introduce his friends to his great uncle.

“Uncle Frank was always around,” Louis-Johnson said. “He came to school performances. High school graduation. College graduation. I work with my hands. I’m a glass maker. That all comes from my time with Uncle Frank (woodworking) in his shop on the farm. He’s been my mentor my entire life.

“I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have learned from Uncle Frank,” Louis-Johnson added. “He taught me that being fearless means not to be afraid of failing. Success is measured by not just what you accomplish but what you make it through – the arduous times as well.”

Frank Fujioka hybrids at Meerkerk Gardens

Burgundy Lace

Cherries and Merlot

Cranberry Lace

Elsie Watson

Glowing Gold

Louisa Wittrock

Midnight Mystique

Miss Francis

Opal Luster

Pink Pinwheels

Pomegranate Splash

Primary Pink

Saffron Silk

Seaview Sunset

Silver Skies

Spring Fragrance

Starbright Champagne