2010 Rhododendron of the Year Awards

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Queen Anne's' (R. brachycarpum x R. catawbiense) x unknown white R. fortunei hybrid Flower very pale violet when first open, quickly fading to white, openly funnel-shaped, wavy lobes, 2½" across. No markings. Flowers look doubled due to fused and petaloid stamens. Ball truss of 10 to 13 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves elliptic, apiculate apex, cuneate base, 3" long, glossy, olive green, retained 2 years. Rounded, open habit. Grows to a typical height of about 5 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to at least 0° F (-18° C). Hybridized by Skinner.
	Photo by Loyd Newcomb

	Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Dora Amateis' R. minus var. minus 'Carolinianum' x R. ciliatum Flower white with faint green spotting, openly funnel-shaped, 2" across. Held in lax truss of 6-8 flowers. Very floriferous plant. Blooms early midseason. Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, recurved, 2" long, light green with bronze highlights, if grown in full sun. Compact habit. Height: 3 ft. in 10 yrs. Grows twice as wide as high. Plant is hardy to -15° F (-26° C). Prefers some shade for best performance. Hybridized by Amateis. Received the Award of Excellence from the ARS and the First Class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Photo by Eleanor Philp

Evergreen Azalea: R. flammeum Species rhododendron in subgenus Pentanthera section Pentanthera subsection Pentanthera Flower apricot to orange to scarlet, funnel-shaped, variable in size. Blooms midseason to late midseason. Leaves ovate or obovate to elliptic, up to 3" long, deciduous. Upright, broad plant habit. Grows to a height of 3 ft. in 10 years. Very heat tolerant. Hardy to -5°F (-21° C). Native to Eastern North America (Georgia, S Carolina).
	Photo Harold Greer

	Deciduous Azalea: R. 'Midnight Flare' R. 'Red Red' x R. 'Red Slippers' Flower deep red with strong purplish red blotch on three lobes, funnel-shaped, single, 2" across. Inflorescence has 2-11 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, slightly up-curved margins, semi-glossy, dark bluish green, colored red in winter. Spreading habit. Grows to a height of about 4 ft. in 10 years. Hardy to -5°F (-21°C). Hybridized by Harris.
Photo by Don Hyatt