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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2025


South East USA Region

R. 'Sappho'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Sappho'

Flower white with a prominent purple-black blotch, broadly funnel-shaped, wavy-edges, 2¾" to 3⅓" across.  Held in conical-shaped truss with about 15 flowers.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves 5" long, dull, mid green.  Upright, open plant habit.  In maturity grows to tree-size.  Reaches a height of 7 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by A. Waterer.

 
R. 'Patty Bee'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Patty Bee'

Flower light greenish-yellow, no markings, openly funnel-shaped, wavy lobed, 2" across.  Held in lax truss with 6 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves narrowly elliptic to elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, 1⅜" long, green, retained 2 years.  Grows broader than tall, dense plant habit.  Typical height: 2 ft. in 10 years.  Plant is hardy to -5°F (-21°C).  Hybridized by Berg.  Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

 
R. 'Renee Michelle'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Renee Michelle'

Flower single, deep pink with light red spotting, openly funnel-shaped, 2½" across.  Truss holds 3-5 flowers.  Blooms late season.  Leaves elliptic, obtuse apex, cuneate base, 1¾" long, glossy, light green, retained 3 years.  Broad, well-branched habit.  Grows approximately to 3 ft. tall in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C).  Hybridized by Girard.

 
R. 'Clear Creek'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Clear Creek'

Flower light yellow with a white throat and pink stamens, about 2½" across, tubular-funnel shaped, fragrant.  Held in dome-shaped trusses with about 20 flowers.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, 2"-2½" long, mid green.  Upright plant habit.  Grows to 8-9 ft. tall in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C).  Hybridized by Aromi.

Photos (top to bottom): Boris Bauer, Harold Greer, Joe Coleman, William Miller III.

Prior Years Selections for South East USA Region

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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