2011 Rhododendron of the Year Awards

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Rona Pink' Parentage unknown Flower inside purplish-pink shading lighter on midribs and with sparse yellow-green spotting on dorsal lobe, outside purplish-pink, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, about 3" across, fragrant. Held in dome-shaped trusses of 12-14 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves elliptic, flat, obtuse apex, dull, oblique base, 6½" long, moderate olive green above, yellow-green below, retained 2 years. Dense, spreading habit. Grows to a typical height of 5 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -10° F (-23°C). Hybridized by Dexter.
	Photo by Boris Bauer

	Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Mary Fleming' (R. racemosum x R. keiskei) x R. keiskei Flower cream flushed strong to light purplish pink, darker blotch in throat, campanulate-shaped, wavy edged, about 1" across. Buds hold 2 or 3 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves approximately 2" long, dull, dark green. Leaves are bronze when new and in the winter. Plant is sun and heat tolerant. Typical height: 2 ft. in 10 yrs. Plant is hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Prefers some shade for best performance. Hybridized by Nearing.
Photo by June Bouchard

Evergreen Azalea: 'Helen Curtis' R. 'Desiree' x R. 'Rosebud' Flower white, unmarked, widely funnel-shaped, semi-double, frilly, about 2½" across. Inflorescence 2-3 flowered. Blooms late midseason. Leaves broadly elliptic, acute apex, rounded base, 1½" long, glossy, yellow-green, retained for 2 years. Upright, rounded habit Grows to 2 ft. in 10 years. Cold hardy to -20°F (-29°C). Hybridized by Shammarello.
	Photo by Sally and John Perkins

	Deciduous Azalea: 'Mount Saint Helens' Parentage: R. 'Cecile' x un-named hybrid Flower yellowish pink with a vivid reddish-orange blotch, widely funnel-shaped, wavy lobes, 2½" across. Held in ball-shaped truss with 11 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, mucronate, narrowly cuneate, 3" to 4" long, moderate yellowish-green. Upright plant habit. Grows approximately 6 ft. tall in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -25° F (-32° C). Hybridized by Girard.
Photo by Sally and John Perkins