Emphasis to date has been on woody plants, both indigenous and exotic, which have a chance of surviving under our climatic conditions. Attention to herbaceous plants is very recent.

   The first trees were acquired from an offshore island near the Arboretum in 1970. They included Machilus thunbergii, Neolitsia sericea and Camellia japonica. From 1971 to 1972, approximately 160 species and cultivars of trees of mostly native plants were donated by the Forestry Research Institute of the Office of Forestry or purchased from the Cholla Pukto Provincial Forestry Research Institute and local nurseries. A very limited number were for the first time purchased from overseas. Beginning in 1973 the acquisition of live plants and seeds from abroad speeded up greatly so that the collection has increased rapidly. This was year that special attention was first given to collections: Magnolia, Ilex, Berberis, Mahonia, Camellia, Stewartia, Tilia, Lauraceae, and conifers including dwarf forms. With the special interest in Magnoliaceae and Ilex, new acquisitions were made yearly. At present, each collection contains around 400 taxa including cultivars.

   Between 1974 to 1977, a large number of trees and shrubs were acquired from well-known nurseries mostly in America and England. It was in 1976 when the first collection of a good number of plants and seeds were made from the wild by Mr. Min on trips around the southwest part of Korea including Mt. Naejang and the islands of Wando, Chudo and Cheju. The collection of Korean natives has been enhanced every year since. These trips inspired the Index Seminum. The first index seminum was compiled in early 1978 and has been published annually ever since. In 1996, 234 kinds of seeds were sent to 140 individuals and botanic gardens in 36 countries. Through the exchange of seeds with a growing number of horticultural organizations in many countries, many plants from various wild habitats were added to the collection.

   The number of new acquisitions was especially large between 1978 and 1981. After 1982 the selection of new introductions slowed but nevertheless new acquisitions are still a part of the development program. The emphasis is on selectivity. Although a comprehensive list has not yet been drawn up, it is estimated that there are now about 6,500 taxa (including cultivars) of plants thriving at Chollipo.

   One of Mr. Min’s most important contributions of is his discovery and naming of Ilex x wandoensis on Wando Island. It was first sent to the USNA Arboretum and now is widely distributed in the nursery trade. It is assumed to be a natural hybrid of Ilex integra and Ilex cornuta, both found in the wild in close proximity on Wando. He also introduced Ilex poneantha and Ilex dimorphophylla from wild collections he made on Amami Oshima, Japan.

In 1972, two plants each of Magnolia sieboldii and Magnolia kobus were bought from a nursery called Mansuwon in Taejon. These were the first acquisitions of magnolias followed by 6 others - M. grandiflora, M. hypoleuca, M. denudata, M. stellata, M. kobus and M. liliiflora - available then in Korea. The first purchases from overseas were M. x loebneri and M. stellata 'Waterlily' bought from Tingles Nursery in Maryland in the spring of 1973. A year after 33 species and cultivars were aquired from Gossler's Nurseries in Oregon and an assortment of magnolias from Treseder's Nursery in Cornwall, UK.

   Four hundred fifty Magnoliaceae entities are now in the collection which is composed of 6 genera, 58 species, 2 subspecies , 9 varieties, 10 hybrids, 260 named cultivars, 51 hand pollinated hybrid seedlings and 63 unnamed clonal varients. There were 1780 magnolias growing at Chollipo at the end of 1996. There are 16 species, 1variety, 2 hybrids and 5 cultivars of Michelia, 5 species and 1 cultivar of Manglietia, 1 species of Tsoongiodendron, 2 species and 7 cultivars of Liriodendron and one Parakmeria species.

   There are four areas where most magnolias have been planted. The first is the Main Area where most of the original plantings are now a good size and thriving. This is the area with emphasis on displaying specimen trees. Magnolia Hill is the second one where the soil is good. This is the main collection, which is going to be enhanced further. The third is the Skyline Magnolia Area, which is at the top of the mountain. Progress in this area, is rather slow but it is becoming a wonderful site with good scenery. The fourth is the Tilia Area where some good specimens of Tilia amurense grow wild nearby. There are many seedlings from hand pollination acquired from various sources and planted here for evaluation.

   Our interest in camellias also originated from the beginning and our first exotic acquisitions were made in the 1970s from Orinda Nursery, Delaware, USA. We also purchased a collection of 20 or so plants from Japan, all with single flowers and most attractive. In later years we have been getting plants from New Zealand and England. The collection is growing slowly but steadily. It was very much appreciated by the members of the International Camellia Society during their visit in 1990. Our largest specimen is a Camellias japonia cultivar called 'Tickled Pink'. It is about 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide. It is planted in full sun and always puts on a good show. Camellias grow slowly at Chollipo in contrast to the offshore islands along the south coast. We have particular interest in building up our collection of C. sasanqua cultivars as they bloom in the dead of winter -almost alone on the flowering stage at that time. 'Cotton Candy' is our special favorite as it is a master at defying the elements. Other choice ones are 'Sparkling Burgundy', 'Bonanza' and 'Chansonette'. The best time to view Camellia sasanqua is November to January, and mid-April through mid-May for the Camellia japonica cultivars. A bonus is that our magnolia collection is in full bloom at the same time as magnolias and many other ornamental plants.