Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2023 South East USA Region |
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Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Martha Player' Flower white with a prominent double flare of deep purplish red spots on the dorsal lobe, and a small green eye at the base, funnel-shaped, wavy-edged lobes, 3” across. Ball-shaped truss has 20-26 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, de-curved margins, 4½" long, semi-glossy, moderate olive green, retained 2 years. Intermediate plant habit, heat tolerant. Grows to a height of approximately 5 ft. in 10 years. Hybridized by Player. |
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Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Weston's Aglo' Flower moderate purplish pink with coppery red spotting, broadly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, 1½" across. Dome-shaped truss holds about 8 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, 2¼" long, glossy, medium green, retained 1 year. Plant has an open habit. Sun tolerant. Grows to about 3 ft. in 10 years. Very cold hardy to -25°F (-32°C). Hybridized by Mezitt. |
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Evergreen Azalea: 'Hilda Niblett' Flower pale tints of strong pink to pale purplish pink, variously marked strong red, throat greenish white spotted deep pink or deep purplish red, broadly funnel-shaped, wavy edged, 3¼" across. Blooms early midseason. Leaves elliptic, about 1½" long. Spreading habit. Grows approximately to 3 ft. tall in 10 years. Cold hardy to -5°F (-21°C). Hybridized by Gartrell. |
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Deciduous Azalea: 'Earl's Gold' Flower inside vivid yellow with a strong orange yellow blotch; outside tube moderate reddish orange. elongated tubular funnel-shaped, wavy-edged, 1¾" across, lightly scented. Ball-shaped truss holds 16 flowers. Blooms early season. Leaves obovate, obtuse apex, cuneate base, down curved margins; dull, 3½" long, strong yellow green, deciduous. Open growth habit. Shrub grows to approximately 6 ft. in 10 years. Cold hardy to -5°F (-21°C). Hybridized by Sommerville. |
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Photos (top to bottom): Lonnie Player, R. Wayne Mezitt, Boris Bauer, Earl Sommerville. |
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Prior Years Selections for South East USA Region
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