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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2025


South West USA Region

R. 'Rwain'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Rwain'

Flower inside light pink at edges fading to almost white, throat and center of lobes pale yellow, outside strong red, dorsal lobe has numerous spots initially green aging to yellow, broadly funnel-shaped, 3⅛"-3½" across.  Conical-shaped truss holds 14-16 flowers.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves elliptic, broadly acute apex, rounded base, 5½"-6⅞" long, matte green.  Mounding plant habit.  Typical height is 6 feet in 10 years.  Plant and bud hardy to 0°F (-18°C).  Hybridized by Colombel.

 
R. 'Noyo Charm'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Noyo Charm'

Flower inside white, randomly tinged light purplish pink, prominent strong purplish red spotting at base of dorsal lobes, outside white tinged strong pink mainly at midribs, openly funnel-shaped, 3½" across, frilly-edged lobes.  Lax truss has 2-5 flowers.  Blooms early.  Leaves obovate, broadly acute apex, rounded base, down-curved margins, semi-glossy, moderate olive green.  Mounding plant habit.  New growth is dark green to reddish bronze, mature bark turns mahogany and peels.  Typical height is 4 feet after 10 years.  Plant is hardy to 20°F (-7°C); buds, 30°F (-2°C).  Hybridized by Scott.

 
R. 'Ben Morrison'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Ben Morrison'

Flower deep yellowish-pink with red spotting and irregular white margins, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, 2¾" across.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves elliptic, flat, acute apex, cuneate base, 1¾" long, discrete, colorless hairs above and below on midribs and at margins.  Spreading, dense habit.  Grows 2x wide as tall.  Grows to height of about 2 ft. in 10 yrs.  Cold hardy to 0°F (-18°C).  Hybridized by Morrison.

 
R. Chetco'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Chetco'

Flower vivid yellow with an vivid orange-yellow blotch, reverse of tube strong reddish-orange, widely funnel-shaped, 3½" across.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, about 2" long, mid green.  Upright growth habit.  Grows to a typical height of 5 ft. in 10 yrs.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Slonecker.

Photos (top to bottom) by Don Wallace, Dennis McKiver, Boris Bauer, Tijs Huisman.

Prior Years Selections for South West USA Region

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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