The society provides a means through which people interested in rhododendrons and azaleas can communicate and cooperate with others via its publications, events, local and regional meetings and international conferences.
Society activities include public education, plant sales, flower shows, seed exchanges, and scientific research.
It has chapters throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Scotland, Sikkim, and Sweden.
The ARS publishes a quarterly journal, The Journal of the American Rhododendron Society, covering a wide range of topics including rhododendron culture, propagation techniques, hybridization results, public and private gardens, plant portraits, companion plants, plant hunting explorations, rhododendron scientific research, Society news and events, and much more.
The journal was first established in April 1947 as the Quarterly Bulletin of the American Rhododendron Society.