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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2004


Mid-Atlantic USA Region

R. 'Gigi'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Gigi'

Flower vivid purplish red with deep red spotting, openly funnel-shaped, wavy lobes, 3¼" across.  Ball-shaped truss of 15-18 flowers.  Blooms late midseason.  Leaves narrowly elliptic to elliptic, apiculate apex, cuneate base, 4½" long, yellowish-green, retained 3 years.  Broad, dense plant habit.  Prefers a shady location.  Typical height: 4-5 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C).  Hybridized by Dexter.

 
R. 'April Pink'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'April Pink'

Flower pale purplish pink with heavy red spotting in throat, 1½" across, funnel-shaped, slightly scented.  Lax truss with 3 flowers.  Blooms early.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, 1⅜" long, retained 3 years.  Compact plant habit.  Grows to typical height of 3 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C).  Hybridized by Kehr.

 
R. 'Girard's Fuchsia'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Girard's Fuchsia'

Flower deep reddish purple inside with strong purplish red spotting on ruffled lobes, strong reddish purple outside, heavy texture, 2½" to 3" across, very attractive.  Inflorescence 3 flowered.  Blooms mid season.  Leaves narrowly obovate to elliptic, apiculate apex, narrowly cuneate base, 1¾" long, glossy, yellowish olive green.  Leaves reddish in winter.  Broad habit.  Typical height: 2 ft. in 4 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Girard.

 
R. 'Crimson Tide'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Crimson Tide'

Flower tubular funnel-shaped, five frilly lobes and short, rather compact petaloid center, strong red, outside of tube deep yellowish-pink, 2¼" across.  Blooms midseason.  Held in dome-shaped truss with 20-40 flowers.  Leaves are elliptic, flat, and ciliate, turn bright yellow to orange in fall.  Upright habit.  Mildew resistant.  Vigorous grower.  Grows to a typical height of 5 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -20°F (-29°C).  Hybridized by Girard.

Photos (top to bottom) by Harold Greer, Don Hyatt, Joe Coleman, Tis Huisman.

Prior Years Selections for Mid-Atlantic USA Region

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

 

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