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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2010


South Central USA Region

R. 'Michelle Smith'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Michelle Smith'

Flower openly funnel-shaped, 3" across, white with thickly dappled maroon flecks on dorsal lobe.  Ball-shaped truss holds 12 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves oblong, obtuse apex, rounded base, down-curved margins, glossy, dark green.  Dense plant habit.  Heat tolerant.  Typical height: 5 ft. in 10 years.  Plant is hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Thornton.

 
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 a height of 3 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15ºF (-26ºC).  Hybridized by Mezitt.

 
R. 'Margaret Douglas'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Margaret Douglas'

Flower has a pale pink central area and ⅜" orange-pink edge, single, widely funnel-shaped, 2¾" to 3" across.  Blooms late midseason.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, 1-1½" long, olive green.  Spreading plant habit.  Heat tolerant.  Grows to a height of 3 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -5°F (-21°C).  Hybridized by Morrison.

 
R. 'Homebush'

Deciduous Azalea: R. 'Homebush'

Flower vivid purplish pink on a base of vivid purplish red, openly funnel-shaped, slightly recurved lobes, about 1⅛" across, semi-double.  Tight, ball-shaped truss with 12-16 flowers.  Holds color well in sun.  Blooms late midseason.  Leaves elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, light green.  Upright, open growth habit.  Grows to a typical height of 6 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to 0°F (-18°C).  Hybridized by Waterer (Knaphill).  Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Photos (top to bottom) by Len Miller, Sally and John Perkins, Donald Hyatt, Sally and John Perkins.

Prior Years Selections for South Central USA Region

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

 

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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