2008 Rhododendron of the Year Awards

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Janet Blair' Parentage unknown Flower very pale pinkish mauve with golden bronze rays on the upper lobe, widely funnel-shaped, frilly edges, fragrant, about 3-1/2" across. Tall truss holds about 13 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves elliptic, with a slight ripple, 5" long, glossy, dark green. Dense, well-branched growth habit. Grows wider than tall. Reaches a typical height of 6 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Dexter.
	Photo by Sally and John Perkins

	Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Olga Mezitt' R. minus var. minus Carolinianum Group x R. minus var. minus Flower light purplish-pink with inconspicuous gold-green blotch that ages to reddish-brown, openly to tubular funnel-shaped, wavy lobes, 1-1/2" across. Dome-shaped trusses hold about 12 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves lanceolate shaped with acute apex and cuneate base, convex, 2" long, yellow-green. Leaves turn mahogany color in winter. Upright growth habit. Reaches a height of 3 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -15º F (-26º C). Hybridized by Mezitt.
Photo by Sally and John Perkins

Evergreen Azalea: 'Stewartstonian' Parentage unknown Flower moderate red with a slight flush of strong reddish orange along lower midribs in the throat, faint spotting of strong red on ventral lobe, openly funnel-shaped, 1" across. Inflorescence is 2 flowered. Blooms early midseason to midseason. Leaves elliptic, 3/4" long, glossy, green tinged red. Leaves turn wine red in winter. Dense, compact habit. Grows to 5 ft. in 10 years. Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Gable.
	Photo by Harold E. Greer

	Deciduous Azalea: 'Arneson Gem' (R. 'C. B. Van Nes' x R. 'Koster's Brilliant Red') x unknown Flower vivid yellow in throat, shading to reddish-orange at margins, outside red, widely funnel-shaped, 3-3/4" across. Held in ball-shaped trusses with 10 to 15 flowers. Blooms early midseason to midseason. Leaves elliptic, apiculate apex, cuneate base, 2-1/2" to 3-1/2" long, slightly wrinkled above, slightly hairy below. Upright, spreading habit. Grows approximately 3 ft. tall in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Arneson.
Photo by Harold E. Greer