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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2015


North West USA Region

R. 'Taurus'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Taurus'

Flower vivid and strong red with darker throat and black spots on dorsal lobe, campanulate, 3½" across.  Large ball-shaped truss holds about about 16 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Deep red winter buds.  Leaves elliptic with acute apex and rounded base, about 7" long, dark green, retained 3 years.  Afternoon sun protection is preferred.  Grows to a typical height of about 6 ft. in 10 yrs.  Cold hardy to -5°F (-21°C).  Hybridized by Mossman.  RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993.

 
R. PJM Group

Lepidote Rhododendron: PJM Group

Flower lilac purple to light violet, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, 1½" across.  Several clones are known as well as a number of forms.  Ball-shaped truss holds 5-12 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves elliptic, flat to convex, obtuse apex, cuneate base, 1¼" to 2" long, glossy green, rust colored scaly indumentum, deep mahogany-purple in winter.  Upright, dense growth habit.  Grows to a height of about 4 ft. in 10 yrs.  Plant is cold hardy to -25°F (-32°C).  Heat and sun tolerant.  Hybridized by Mezitt.

 
R. 'Everest'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Everest'

Flower white with a pale greenish-yellow blotch.  Inflorescence 3-4 flowered.  A late midseason bloomer.  Leaves elliptic, 1½" long, dull, mid green.  Compact, spreading habit.  Grows to a height of 4 ft. in 10 yrs.  Cold hardy to -5°F (-21°C).  Hybridized by Morrison.

 
R. 'Strawberry Ice'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Strawberry Ice'

Flower pale pink, heavily veined and netted deeper pink, with a deep orange-yellow blotch, funnel-shaped, slightly wavy edges, 2¾" across.  Ball-shaped truss holds 7-15 flowers.  Blooms midseason to late midseason.  Leaves elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, 3" to 4" long, medium green, hair on upper surface.  Broadly upright, somewhat open habit.  Grows to a typical height of 4 ft. in 10 yrs.  Cold hardy to -25° F (-32°C).  Hybridized by de Rothschild.  Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1962.

Photos (top to bottom) by Doug Irish-Hosler, Chris Klapwijk, courtesy of U.S. National Arboretum, Chris Klapwijk.

Prior Years Selections for North West USA Region

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

 

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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