2012 Rhododendron of the Year Awards

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Solidarity' R. 'The Hon. Jean Marie de Montague' x R. degronianum ssp. yakushimanum Flower purplish-red at edge shading to light purplish-pink in throat with purplish-red spots on dorsal lobe, openly funnel-shaped with wavy edges, 3" across. Held in dome-shaped trusses with 12-13 flowers. Blooms midseason. Leaves elliptic, flat, 5" long, leathery, dull green with sparse light tan indumentum, retained 3-4 years. Plant dense, well-shaped. Typical height: 4 ft. in 10 yrs. Plant is hardy to -15° F (-26°C). Hybridized by Schannen.
	Photo by Henk Borsje

	Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Floda' R. keiskei x R. mucronulatum, pink form Flower purplish-pink edged lighter, fading to white with pink stripes and with a light orange-yellow blotch, openly funnel-shaped, 2" across. Flattened, ball-shaped truss holds 3 to 8 flowers. Blooms very early. Leaves elliptic, flat, acute apex, cuneate base, 1½" long, glossy, retained 1 year. Spreading plant habit. Autumn foliage red. Reaches a typical height of 3 ft. in 10 years. Plant and bud hardy to -25°F (-32°C). Hybridized by Waldman.
Photo by Sally and John Perkins

Evergreen Azalea: 'Carrie Amanda' R. 'Elsie Lee' x R. 'Marion Lee' Flower strong purplish-pink edged with white throat and dark rose spotting on dorsal lobe, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, 2½" across. Blooms early midseason. Leaves broadly elliptic to narrowly obovate, mucronate apex, cuneate base, 1¾" long, dull, dark green, upper and lower surfaces hairy, retained 2 years. Broad, rounded, well-branched habit. Grows to height of 2 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Schroeder.
	Photo by Sally and John Perkins

	Deciduous Azalea: R. 'White Find' R. vaseyi selection Flower clear white with dorsal lobes mottled greenish yellow, funnel-shaped to rotate-campanulate, about 1½" across, fragrant. Blooms early midseason. Leaves elliptic, up to 5" long, margins often undulate, deciduous. Upright, spreading plant habit. Grows to a typical height of 5 ft. in 10 yrs. Cold hardy to -15° F (-26° C). Found in the wild in the mountains of North Carolina by Harmon.
Photo by Harold Greer