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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2019


Great Lakes USA Region

R. 'Scintillation'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Scintillation'

Flower strong purplish-pink shaded lighter towards center, flared greenish-yellow markings in throat, outside deep purplish-pink, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, 2½" across.  Held in ball-shaped trusses of 11-15 flowers.  Several forms exist of this hybrid.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves oblong, apiculate apex, rounded base, glossy, deep green, waxy texture.  Broad habit.  Grows to a typical height of 5 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Dexter.

   
R. PJM Group

Lepidote Rhododendron: PJM Group

Flower lilac purple to light violet, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, 1½" across.  Several clones are known as well as a number of forms.  Ball-shaped truss holds 5-12 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves elliptic, flat to convex, obtuse apex, cuneate base, 1¼" to 2" long, glossy, mid green, rust-colored scaly indumentum, deep mahogany-purple in winter.  Upright, dense growth habit.  Grows to a height of about 4 ft. in 10 yrs.  Plant is cold hardy to -25°F (-32°C).  Heat and sun tolerant.  Hybridized by Mezitt.

 
R. 'Caroline Gable'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Caroline Gable'

Flower purplish-pink with a darker blotch, single, 1¾" across, hose-in-hose.  Blooms midseason to late midseason.  Plant has an upright, spreading habit.  Leaves are elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, mid green.  Grows to a typical height of 4 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -5°F (-21°C).  Hybridized by Gable.

 
R. 'Crimson Tide'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Crimson Tide'

Flower strong red, outside of tube deep yellowish pink, 2¼" across, tubular funnel-shaped, frilly lobes and short, rather compact petaloid center.  Blooms midseason.  Held in dome-shaped truss with 20-40 flowers.  Leaves are elliptic, flat, and ciliate, turn bright yellow to orange in fall.  Upright plant habit.  Mildew resistant.  Vigorous grower.  Typical height: 5 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -20°F (-29°C).  Hybridized by Girard.

Photos (top to bottom) by Boris Bauer, Chris Klapwijk, Stuart Imrie, Tijs Huisman.

Prior Years Selections for Great Lakes USA Region

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

 

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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