2006 Rhododendron of the Year Awards

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Ken Janeck' (Select form of R. degronianum ssp. yakushimanum) One of the best forms for its appealing foliage (heavily indumented) and its richly colored pink flowers. Flower fuchsine pink, ages to white, upper lobe spotted green, openly funnel-shaped, 2½" across. Held in compact trusses of 13 to 17 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves oblanceolate, recurved, dark green with thick indumentum beneath. Compact, mounding plant. Grows twice as wide as high. Height: 4 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -15° F (-26° C). This is the only yakushimanum selection to receive an Award of Excellence (1969). There is continuing debate as to whether the plant is a variety of the species or perhaps is a hybrid containing R. smirnowii or another species. Selected by Janeck.
	Photo by Eleanor Philp

	Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Manitou' R. 'Conestoga' x unknown 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: 3 ft. in 10 yrs. Hardy to -10° F (-23° C). Hybridized by Nearing.
Photo by Sally and John Perkins

Evergreen Azalea: 'Red Red' R. 'Hino-red ' x R. 'Ward's Ruby' 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. Hardy to -15° F (-26° C). Hybridized by Shammarello.
	Photo by Harold Greer

	Deciduous Azalea: 'Gibraltar' Parentage unknown Flower vivid orange, flushed red orange, deep crimson in bud, tubular funnel-shaped, frilly edges, 2⅜" to 3" across. Ball-shaped trusses hold 10-12 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, deep green, deciduous. Mildew resistant. Upright growth habit. Grows to a height of 5 ft. in 10 years. Hardy to -15° F (-26° C). Hybridized by E. de Rothschild.
Photo by Harold Greer