2009 Rhododendron of the Year Awards

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Bruce Brechtbill' R. 'Unique' bud sport Flower pale pink fading lighter towards center and with light yellow throat, openly funnel-shaped, wavy lobes, 3" across. Held in ball-shaped trusses of 10-12 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves elliptic, apiculate apex, cuneate base, 4" long, glossy, olive green, retained 3 years. Plant has a compact, dense habit. Grows to a height of 4 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -5°F (-21°C). Introduced by the Brechtbill Nursery.
	Photo by Pat Breen

	Lepidote Rhododendron: 'My Lady' (R. veitchianum x R. edgeworthii) selfed Flower very open rotate, 2½" across, slightly fragrant, white blushed pink with a pale yellow throat, open truss. An early bloomer. Leaves 3" long, 1½" wide, bullate, glossy, dark green. Compact shrub. Grows to an approximate height of 3 ft. in 10 yrs. Suitable for temperate locations - hardy to 15°F (-9°C). Hybridized by Sumner.
Photo by Marvin Larsen

Evergreen Azalea: 'Kirin' (syn. 'Coral Bells') Parentage unknown Flower hose-in-hose, rose red with a darker blotch, shading to silvery rose, tubular funnel-shaped, about 1" across. Inflorescence 1-3 flowered. Blooms early. Leaves elliptic, up to 1⅛" long, glossy, dark green. Dense, spreading habit. Grows as wide as tall. Prefers partial shade. Grows to a height of 4 ft. in 10 years. Hardy to 0°F (-18°C). Raised and named in Japan. Introduced by the Domoto Brothers Nursery who renamed it "Coral Bells'.
	Photo by Harold Greer

	Deciduous Azalea: R. occidentale Species rhododendron in subgenus Pentanthera section Pentanthera subsection Pentanthera Flower very variable, white, white flushed pink, or pale pink, often with a yellow blotch, fragrant, 1½ - 2" across, broadly funnel-shaped. Inflorescence usually 3-12 flowers. Blooms late midseason. Leaves usually oblanceolate, sometimes linear or orbicular, deciduous, 1 - 5" long, ½ - 1½" wide. Upright growth habit. Grows to a height of 5 - 8 ft. in 10 years. Hardy to -5°F (-21°C). Native to western U.S. from S. California to S. Washington.
Photo by Don Kohlenberger