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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2014


South Central USA Region

R. degronianum ssp heptamerum

Elepidote Rhododendron: degronianum ssp. heptamerum

Flower white or pink, occasionally striped deeper pink, funnel-campanulate, with 5 to 9 lobes.  Truss holds 6-15 flowers.  Blooms early midseason to midseason.  Leaves elliptic to oblanceolate, up to 5½" long, thin to velvety indumentum.  Plant compact, rounded shape.  Typical height: 3 ft. in 10 yrs.  Plant is hardy to -15° F (-26°C).  Native species found growing in the wild in Southern Japan.  (Synonym: R. metternichii)

 
R. 'Weston's Aglo'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Weston's Aglo'

Flower moderate purplish-pink with coppery-red spotting in dorsal throat.  Held in ball-shaped trusses of about 8 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, 2¼" long, glossy, green, retained 1 year.  Open habit.  Sun tolerant.  Height: 3 ft. in 10 yrs.  Plant is hardy to -25° F (-32° C).  Hybridized by Mezitt.

 
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. 'White Lights'

Deciduous Azalea: 'White Lights'

Flower white, reverse of tube light purplish-pink.  No markings, tubular funnel-shaped, ¾" across.  Held in dome-shaped truss with 5 flowers.  Blooms late midseason.  Leaves oblanceolate to elliptic, apiculate apex, cuneate base, 2⅜" long, flat, both surfaces hairy, moderate yellow-green.  Rounded, well-branched habit.  Grows to a typical height of 5 ft. in 10 yrs.  Cold hardy to -35° F (-37° C).  Hybridized by Pellett.

Photos (top to bottom) by Hank Helm, R. Wayne Mezitt, Boris Bauer, Sally and John Perkins.

Prior Years Selections for South Central USA Region

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

 

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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