2012 Rhododendron of the Year Awards

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Cinnamon Bear' R. degronianum ssp. yakushimanum 'Koichiro Wada' x R. bureavii Flower white with strong purplish-red spotting, openly campanulate, 2" across. Held in dome-shaped truss of about 20 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves narrowly elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, 5" long, heavy cinnamon-brown colored indumentum, new growth is whitish colored. Leaves retained 3-4 years. Rounded, well-branched habit. Grows to a typical height of 2 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to 0° F (-18° C). Hybridized by C.C. Smith.
	Photo by Diane Weissman

	Lepidote Rhododendron 'Weston's Pink Diamond' R. 'PJM' x R. mucronulatum 'Cornell Pink' Flower light fuchsia pink with orange-brown spots on dorsal lobe, flat saucer-shaped, semi-double, wavy lobes, ruffled center of petaloid stamens, 1¼" across. Held in ball-shaped trusses with 8 to 12 flowers. An early season bloomer. Leaves lanceolate, acute apex, cuneate base, 1½" long, glossy, yellow-green, retained 1 year. Upright plant, well-branched, ⅔ as broad as high. Grows to an approximate height of 5 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -10° F (-23° C). Hybridized by Mezitt.
Photo by Kenneth Cox

Evergreen Azalea: R. 'Abigail Adams' R. 'Royal Pillow' open-pollinated Flower deep purplish pink, broadly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, about 3" across. Inflorescence holds 3 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves elliptic, obtuse apex, cuneate base, 2" long, glossy, mid green. Plant has a wide spreading, mounding habit. Grows to a height of 4 ft. in 10 yrs. Hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Mezitt.
	Photo by Tijs Huisman

	Deciduous Azalea: 'Narcissiflorum' Parentage unknown Flower light yellow, deeper yellow in center, with faint pink tinge at edges, tubular funnel-shaped, 1⅛" across, double, fragrant. Ball-shaped truss holds 10 flowers. Blooms late midseason. Leaves 3" long, mid green, deciduous. Upright growth habit. Grows to about 6 ft. tall in 10 years. Hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Rinz.
Photo by Sally and John Perkins