2009 Rhododendron of the Year Awards

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Pearce's American Beauty' R. 'Mrs. Charles S. Sargent' x R. 'Doctor H. C. Dresselhuys' Flower strong purplish-red with yellowish-green spots and three dorsal white rays from base to spots, openly funnel-shaped, frilly, 3" across. Ball-shaped trusses hold 18 flowers. Blooms very late. Leaves elliptic, flat, acute apex, cuneate base, 7" long, yellow-green, retained 2-3 years. Broad habit with decumbent branches. Reaches a typical height of 6 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to at least 0° F (-18°C). Hybridized by Pearce.
	Photo by Lloyd Newcomb

	Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Angel Powder' R. 'Epoch' x R. mucronatum, white flowered Flower white with yellowish-green dorsal spots, widely funnel-shaped, frilly, 2⅛" across. Held in multiple terminal buds each with 6 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves broadly acute apex, cuneate base, 3⅜" long. Upright plant habit. Reaches a height of 3 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -15º F (-26º C). Hybridized by Delp.
Photo by Tony Greco

Evergreen Azalea: 'White Rosebud' R. 'Vervaeneanum Album' x R. 'Rosebud' Flower white with green throat, double, about 2" across, with about 40 lobes. Lax truss holds 1-4 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves elliptic, obtuse apex, cuneate base, 1" long, glossy, bullate, mid green, held for 2-3 years. Dense, slow-growing plant. Upright growth habit. Grows to 3 ft. in 10 years. Cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C). Hybridized by Kehr.
	Photo by Boris Bauer

	Deciduous Azalea: 'Narcissiflorum' Parentage: unknown Flower double, light yellow, deeper in center, with faint pink tinge at edges, fragrant, tubular funnel-shaped, 1⅛" across. Ball-shaped truss holds 10 flowers. Mildew resistant. Blooms midseason. Leaves 3" long, mid green. Upright plant habit. Grows approximately 6 ft. tall in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -15° F (-26° C). Hybridized by Rinz. Received the Award of Merit and the First Class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Photo by Sally and John Perkins