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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2006


North East USA Region

R. 'Ken Janeck'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Ken Janeck'

One of the best forms of R. degronianum ssp. yakushimanum) with appealing foliage and richly-colored pink flowers.  Flowers are funnel-shaped, 2½" across, held in trusses with 13 to 17 flowers.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves oblanceolate, re-curved, dark green with thick indumentum beneath.  Compact, mounding plant habit.  Grows twice as wide as high.  Height: about 4 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Selection received an Award of Excellence (1969).  There is debate as to whether the plant is a variety of the species or is a hybrid containing R. smirnowii or another species.  Selected by Janeck.

 
R. 'Manitou'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Manitou'

Flower opens near white rapidly changing to pale purplish pink with a purplish pink throat and small red spots on dorsal lobe, openly funnel-shaped, 1" across.  Held in ball-shaped trusses of up to 35 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves elliptic, broadly acute apex, rounded base, flat, semi-glossy, olive green above, brown scales below.  Mounding plant habit.  Height: typically 3 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C).  Hybridized by Nearing.

 
R. 'Red Red'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Red Red'

Flower strong red, unmarked, openly funnel-shaped, 1¾" across.  Inflorescence 3 to 4 flowered.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves elliptic to broadly elliptic, acute apex, rounded base, 1½" long, glossy, grayish olive green, turning reddish yellow in winter.  Upright, broad plant habit.  Low growing to approximately 2 ft. high in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Shammarello.

 
R. 'Gibraltar'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Gibraltar'

Flower vivid orange, flushed red orange, deep crimson in bud, tubular funnel-shaped, frilly edges, 2⅜" to 3" across.  Ball-shaped truss hold 10-12 flowers.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, deep green, deciduous.  Mildew resistant.  Upright growth habit.  Grows to a typical height of 5 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Edmund de Rothschild.

Photos (top to bottom) by Eleanor Philp, Sally and John Perkins, Harold Greer, Harold Greer.

Prior Years Selections for North East USA Region

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

 

2005

2004


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