Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2016 South Central USA Region |
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Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Janet Blair' Flower very pale pinkish mauve with golden bronze rays on the upper lobe, widely funnel-shaped, fragrant, frilly edges, about 3½" across. Held in tall truss of about 13 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves elliptic, with a slight ripple, 5" long, glossy, dark green. Dense, mounding growth habit. Typical height: 6 ft. in 10 years. Plant is cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Heat tolerant. Hybridized by Dexter. |
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Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Ginny Gee' Flower white with pink mottling at edges both inside and on reverse, tubular funnel-shaped to widely funnel-shaped, wavy lobes, ¾"-1" across. Flowers fade to light pink or white. Held in terminal clusters of multiple buds each with 3 - 5 flowers. An early midseason bloomer. Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, 1¼" long, dark matte green, retained 2 - 3 years. Some reddening of leaves in winter. Compact, very dense growth habit. Grows to an approximate height of 2 ft. in 10 years. Cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C). Hybridized by Berg. |
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Evergreen Azalea: 'Kirin' (syn. 'Coral Bells') Flower vivid red with a darker blotch, shading to silvery rose, tubular funnel-shaped, about 1" across. Inflorescence 1-3 flowered. Blooms early. Leaves elliptic, up to 1⅛" long, glossy, dark green. dense, spreading habit. Prefers partial shade. Grows to a typical height of 4 ft. in 10 years. Cold hardy to 0°F (-18°C). Raised and named in Japan. Introduced by the Domoto Brothers Nursery who renamed it 'Coral Bells'. |
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Deciduous Azalea: 'Gibraltar' Flower vivid orange, flushed red orange, deep crimson in bud, tubular funnel-shaped, frilly edges, 2⅜" to 3" across. Ball-shaped truss hold 10-12 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, deep green, deciduous. Mildew resistant. Upright growth habit. Grows to a typical height of 5 ft. in 10 years. Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Edmund de Rothschild. |
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Photos (top to bottom) by Sally and John Perkins, Ron Knight, Harold Greer, Harold Greer. |
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Prior Years Selections for South Central USA Region
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