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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2018


South East USA Region

R. 'Charles Loomis'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Charles Loomis'

Flower pink in bud, opening white inside and outside, unmarked, openly funnel-shaped with wavy-edged lobes, about 2" across.  Ball-shaped truss has 10 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves oblong, obtuse apex, rounded base, down-curved margins, 5" long, dark green, retained 3 years.  Round plant habit.  Grows to a height of about 6 ft. in 10 yrs.  Plant is cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Introduced by Abbey View Farm.

 
R. 'Abby's Re-View'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Abbey's Re-View'

Flower pinkish lavender with darker blotch, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, about 1½" across, fragrant.  Flower similar to the cultivar P.J.M., with the added advantage of being very heat resistant.  Blooms twice a year: early season and again late.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, glossy, dark green.  Pest and disease resistant.  Dense plant habit.  Grows to a typical height of 6-8 ft. in 10 years.  Plant and bud hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Selected by Flotta.

 
R. 'Autumn Embers'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Autumn Embers'

Flower vivid red, with strong red spotting, openly funnel-shaped, semi-double, wavy-edged, 2½"-2¾" across.  Domed truss has 1-3 buds with 2-3 flowers per bud.  Blooms early and again late season.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, about 2" long, dull, moderate olive green.  Dense plant habit.  Grows to a typical height of 3 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -5°F (-21°C).  Hybridized by Lee.

 
R. cumberlandense

Deciduous Azalea: R. cumberlandense

Flower orange to red, sometimes yellow, funnel-shaped, fragrant.  Inflorescence 3-7 flowered.  Blooms late to very late.  Leaves ovate or obovate to elliptic, up to 3" long, deciduous.  Shrub grows to 4 ft. or more in 10 years.   Hardy to at least -15°F (-26°C).  Native species found growing in eastern North America from Kentucky to Georgia.

Photos (top to bottom): courtesy of RareFind Nursery, courtesy of Park Seed, courtesy of Encore Azalea Nursery, Sally and John Perkins.

Prior Years Selections for South East USA Region

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

 

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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