2004 Rhododendron of the Year Awards

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Nestucca' R. fortunei ssp fortunei x R. degronianum ssp yakushimanum Flower white with greenish-brown spotting in throat, openly funnel-shaped, frilly lobes, 5" across. Dome-shaped truss of 14 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves elliptic, 4" long, glossy, dark green. Plant compact with spreading habit. Height: 3 ft. in 10 yrs. Tolerates heat and sun. Flower bud hardy to -10°F (-23°C). Hybridized by C. Smith.
	Photo by T. Lawrence Mellichamp

	Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Gable's Pioneer' R. 'Conemaugh'? x unknown Flower rosy mauve-pink, 1" across, held in multiple trusses. Blooms very early along stems in leaf axils. Leaves elliptic, flat, mucronate apex, cuneate base, 2" long, glossy, olive green, semi-deciduous. Plant floriferous, grows upright with multiple branches. Grows to 6 ft. in 10 yrs. Hardy to -10°F (-23°C). Hybridized by Gable.
Photo by Harold E. Greer

Evergreen Azalea: 'Helen Curtis' R. 'Desiree' x R. 'Rosebud' Flower white without markings, widely funnel-shaped, semi-double with 10 frilled lobes, 2-1/2" across. Inflorescence 2-3 flowered. Blooms late midseason. Leaves broadly elliptic, acute apex, rounded base, 1-1/2" long, glossy, yellow-green, retained for 2 years. Upright, rounded habit. Reaches a height of 2 ft. in 10 yrs. Bud hardy to -20°F (-29°C). Hybridized by Shammarello.
	Photo by A Shammarello (Courtesy of H. Edward Reiley)

	Deciduous Azalea: 'Crimson Tide' R. 'Homebush' x R. 'Melford Red Letter' Flower tubular funnel-shaped, frilly lobes and short, rather compact petaloid center, strong red, outside of tube deep yellowish-pink, 2-1/4" across. 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. Height: 5 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -20°F (-29°C). Hybridized by Girard.
Photo by Peter Girard, Sr.