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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2008


Great Lakes USA Region

R. 'Janet Blair'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Janet Blair'

Flower very pale pinkish mauve with golden bronze rays on the upper lobe, widely funnel-shaped, frilly edges, fragrant, about 3½" across.  Tall truss holds about 13 flowers.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves elliptic, with a slight ripple, 5" long, glossy, dark green.  Dense, well-branched growth habit.  Grows wider than tall.  Reaches a typical height of 6 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Dexter.

   
R. 'Olga Mezitt'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Olga Mezitt'

Flower light purplish pink with inconspicuous gold green blotch that ages to reddish brown, openly to tubular funnel-shaped, wavy lobes, 1½" across.  Dome-shaped trusses hold about 12 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves lanceolate shaped with acute apex and cuneate base, convex, 2" long, yellow-green.  Leaves turn mahogany color in winter.  Upright growth habit.  Reaches an approximate height of 3 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15ºF (-26ºC).  Hybridized by Mezitt.

 
R. 'Stewartstonian'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Stewartstonian'

Flower moderate red with a slight flush of strong reddish orange along lower midribs in the throat, faint spotting of strong red on ventral lobe, openly funnel-shaped, 1" across.  Inflorescence is 2 flowered.  Blooms early midseason to midseason.  Leaves elliptic, ¾" long, glossy, green tinged red.  Leaves turn wine red in winter.  Dense, compact habit.  Grows to about 5 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Gable.

 
R. 'Arneson Gem'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Arneson Gem'

Flower vivid yellow in throat, shading to reddish orange at margins, outside red, widely funnel-shaped, 3¾" across.  Held in ball-shaped trusses with 10 to 15 flowers.  Blooms early midseason to midseason.  Leaves elliptic, apiculate apex, cuneate base, 2½" to 3½" long, slightly wrinkled above, slightly hairy below.  Upright, spreading habit.  Grows to approximately 3 ft. tall in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Arneson.

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

Prior Years Selections for Great Lakes USA Region

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

 

2007

2006

2005

2004


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