2008 Rhododendron of the Year Awards

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Grace Seabrook' R. 'The Honourable Jean Marie de Montague' x R. strigillosum Flower currant red at margins shading at center to blood red, openly funnel-shaped, frilly edges, 3" across. Held in tight, ball-shaped truss of about 12 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves are large, pointed, very thick and dark green with sparse indumentum. Typical height: 4 ft. in 10 yrs. Plant is hardy to -5°F (-21°C). Hybridized by Seabrook.
	Photo by Eleanor Philp

	Lepidote Rhododendron: 'PJM Group' (R. minus var minus Carolinianum Group x R. dauricum Sempervirens Group Flower lilac purple to light violet, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, 1-1/2" across. Several clones are known as well as a number of forms. Ball-shaped truss holds 5-12 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves elliptic, flat to convex, obtuse apex, cuneate base, 1-1/4" to 2" long, glossy green, rust colored scaly indumentum, deep mahogany-purple in winter. Upright, dense growth habit. Grows to a height of about 4 ft. in 10 yrs. Plant is cold hardy to -25°F (-32°C). Heat and sun tolerant. Hybridized by Mezitt.
Photo by Chris Klapwijk

Evergreen Azalea: 'Blaauw's Pink' Parentage unknown Flower salmon pink suffused with light pink, spotted darker on dorsal lobe, hose-in-hose, openly funnel-shaped, about 1-1/8" across. An early bloomer. Dense, mounding plant habit. Grows to a height of 3 ft. in 10 years. Cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C). Hybridized by Blaauw & Co.
	Photo by Ron Knight

	Deciduous Azalea: 'My Mary' R. 'Nacoochee' x R. austrinum Flower brilliant yellow with orange tube, no markings, tubular funnel-shaped, wavy lobes, 2-1/2" across, fragrant. Conical trusses hold up to 25 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves near narrowly obovate to elliptic, mucronate apex, cuneate base, 1-1/4" long, deciduous. Attractive, compact habit. Grows to 5 ft. in 10 yrs. Plant hardy to -10°F (-23°C). Insect and disease resistant. Hybridized by Beasley.
David C. Royster