Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2023 South West USA Region |
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Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Naselle' Flower strong purplish red shading to strong brilliant yellow at base of three upper lobes, and strong reddish orange spotting, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, 4" across. Up to 15 flowers per truss. Blooms early midseason. Leaves elliptic, flat, apiculate apex, cuneate base, 4½" long, pale green, very pale maroon when new. Round plant habit. Typical height: 4 feet in 10 years. Plant and bud hardy to -5°F (-21°C). Hybridizer is Elliott. |
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Lepidote Rhododendron: R. augustinii ssp. augustinii Flower blue to purple, pink, lavender or white, usually with a yellow-green or brownish blotch on upper lobes, openly funnel-shaped. 1½" - 2" across. 2-6 flowers per truss. Blooms early midseason to midseason. Leaves narrowly elliptic to lanceolate, up to 4½" long, with hairs along veins, dark green above, underside densely scaly. Tall, upright plant habit. Typical height is 6 feet after 10 years. Cold hardy to 0°F (-18°C). Native to Hubei and Szechwan China. Named after Augustine Henry, who discovered the species in 1886. |
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Evergreen Azalea: 'Girard's Fuchsia' Flower moderate to deep purplish-red with moderate purplish-red spots, reverse deep purplish-pink, broadly funnel-shaped, wavy lobes, 2½" to 3" across. Inflorescence 3 flowered. Blooms midseason. Leaves narrowly obovate to elliptic, apiculate apex, narrowly cuneate base, 1¾" long, glossy, moderate yellowish olive green. Broad plant habit. Grows to a typical height of 4 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Girard. |
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Deciduous Azalea: 'Mary Poppins' Flower bright orange-red with an orange dorsal blotch, funnel-shaped, wavy edges, single, about 1½" across. Round shaped truss holds 12-16 flowers. Blooms late midseason to late. Leaves elliptic to ovate, acute apex, cuneate base, flat, 4" long, bronze-colored when new, dark green when mature, deciduous. Upright, slightly rounded growth habit. Height: 4 ft. in 10 years. Cold hardy to -20°F (-29°C). Hybridizer is unknown. |
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Photos (top to bottom) by Ken Cox, Ken Cox, Joe Coleman, Harold Greer. |
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Prior Years Selections for South West USA Region
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