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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2024


South East USA Region

R. 'Parker's Pink'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Parker's Pink'

Flower purplish-red fading to white in throat with red spots that are dense in throat thinning out to two rays of spots, openly funnel-shaped, wavy lobed, 3½" across, fragrant.  Truss holds about 12 flowers.  Blooms late midseason.  Leaves elliptic, 6½" to 8" long, yellow-green, retained 2 years.  Grows to a height of approximately 5 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Dexter.

 
R. 'Blue Ridge'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Blue Ridge'

Flower vivid violet fading to pale violet in throat, outside darker, widely funnel-shaped, 1⅞" across, even rounded lobes, slightly fragrant.  Dome-shaped truss has 4-5 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves elliptic, acute with apiculus apex, cuneate base, tips down-turned, 1¼" long, grayish moderate olive green, retained 2 years.  Semi-dwarf, rounded plant habit.  Grows to about 2 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C).  Hybridized by Haag.

 
R. 'Pink Ruffles'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Pink Ruffles'

Flower strong purplish pink, funnel-shaped, ruffled edges, 2" across, semi-double and hose-in-hose.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, about 1" long, initially light green darkening with age.  Grows approximately to 4 ft. tall in 10 years.  Cold hardy to 5°F (-15°C).  Hybridized by Bobbink & Atkins.

 
R. arborescens

Deciduous Azalea: R. arborescens

Flower white, often tinged pink, may have a yellow blotch, with reddish-purple style and stamens, tubular shaped, fragrant.  Inflorescence 3-7 flowered.  Blooms late to very late.  Leaves ovate or obovate to elliptic, up to 4" long, glossy, deciduous.  Tall shrub or small tree.  Grows to about 6 ft. tall in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Native species found in the eastern United States from Pennsylvania to Georgia and westward to Alabama.

Photos (top to bottom): Boris Bauer, Harold Greer, Joe Coleman, Kenneth Cox.

Prior Years Selections for South East USA Region

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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