2008 Rhododendron of the Year Awards

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Capistrano' R. 'Hindustan' x {{[R. catawbiense x ( R. fortunei ssp discolor x R. 'Fabia Group')] x (R. 'Russell Harmon' x R. 'Goldsworth Orange')}] x R. 'Golden Gala'} Flower pale greenish-yellow with no markings, funnel-campanulate, frilly edged, 2" across. Held in dome-shaped trusses of 15 flowers. Blooms late midseason. Leaves elliptic, flat, broadly acute apex, rounded base, 4-1/2" long, dull, deep green, retained 2-3 years. Dense, mounding habit. Performs best with afternoon shade. Typical height: 5 ft. in 10 yrs, grows wider than tall. Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Leach.
	Photo by Kenneth Cox

	Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Landmark' [R. PJM Group x R. 'Mucronulatum Pink" ), selfed] x (R. minus 'Carolinianum Group' x R. prinophyllum) Flower strong purplish-red with faint scarlet spotting, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, 3/4" across. Held in dome-shaped truss with 25 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves elliptic, broadly acute apex, rounded base, down-curved edges, about 2" long, semi-glossy, dark green. In winter leaves turn bronze-purple color. Upright, open habit. Grows to height of 4 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Mezitt.
Photo by Sally and John Perkins

Evergreen Azalea: 'Linda Stuart' R. 'Blaauw's Pink' x unknown Flower creamy white with irregular deep yellowish-pink edges, hose-in hose, funnel-shaped, 1-1/2" across. Blooms early midseason to midseason. Leaves obovate, mucronate apex, cuneate base, 1-1/2" long, slightly hairy. Grows to a height of about 4 ft. in 10 yrs. Hardy to -10°F (-23°C). Hybridized by Yavorsky.
	Photo by Tijs Huisman

	*Deciduous Azalea: 'R. atlanticum'* Species rhododendron in subgenus Pentanthera section Pentanthera subsection Pentanthera Known as the Coastal azalea. Flower white often flushed pink, narrowly funnel shaped, very fragrant. Flowers before or just as the new leaves open. Blooms midseason. Leaves ovate or obovate to elliptic, up to 2" long, bright bluish-green, deciduous. Grows to 3-4 ft. tall in 10 years. Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Easily propagated by division, root or stem cuttings. Native to the eastern United States coastal plains from Pennsylvania to Georgia.
Photo by Margaret Taylor