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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2009


Mid-Atlantic USA Region

R. 'Wheatley'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Wheatley'

Flower pale purplish pink shaded darker towards outer edge, with yellowish green rays in throat, openly funnel-shaped, frilly lobes, 3¼: across, very fragrant.  Ball-shaped truss has 16 flowers.  A midseason bloomer.  Leaves elliptic, apiculate apex, cuneate base, 7" long, medium green, retained 2 years.  Prefers filtered light.  Broad, well-branched habit.  Grows approximately 5 ft. tall in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Phipps.  Received the Award of Excellence from the ARS.

 
R. 'Landmark'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Landmark'

Flower strong purplish red with faint scarlet spotting, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, ¾" across.  Held in dome-shaped truss with 25 flowers.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves elliptic, broadly acute apex, rounded base, down-curved edges, about 2" long, semi-glossy, dark green.  In winter leaves turn bronze-purple color.  Upright, open habit.  Grows to typical height of 4 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Sun tolerant.  Hybridized by Mezitt.

 
R. 'Koromo-shikibu'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Koromo-shikibu'

Flower light purplish pink, with darker tips and spots at base, single, 2½" across, with narrow, deeply divided, strap-like lobes, ¼" wide and 1½" long.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, 1-1½" long, light green.  Upright, open plant habit.  Grows to a height of 4 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridizer is unknown.

 
R. 'Old Gold'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Old Gold'

Flower opens widely "butterfly" shaped, 2⅛" to 2¾" across, pale orange buff flushed and overlaid with rose and an orange blotch.  Round, compact trusses with 7-15 flowers.  Deciduous. Open, broad, irregular habit.  Typical height: 4 ft. in 10 yrs.  Cold hardy to -25° F (-32° C).  Raised and introduced by Edmund de Rothschild.

Photos (top to bottom) by Henk Borsje, Sally and John Perkins, Boris Bauer, Harold Greer.

Prior Years Selections for Mid-Atlantic USA Region

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2023

2022

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2020

2019

2018

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2016

2015

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2012

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2008

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2004


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