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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2011


Great Lakes USA Region

R. 'Rona Pink'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Rona Pink'

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 years.  Cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C).  Hybridized by Dexter.

   
R. 'Mary Fleming'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Mary Fleming'

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 years.  Plant is hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Prefers some shade for best performance.  Hybridized by Nearing.

 
R. 'Helen Curtis'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Helen Curtis'

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.

 
R. 'Mount Saint Helens'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Mount Saint Helens'

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 years.  Cold hardy to -25°F (-32°C).  Hybridized by Girard.

Photos (top to bottom) by Boris Bauer, June Bouchard, Sally and John Perkins, Sally and John Perkins.

Prior Years Selections for Great Lakes USA Region

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

 

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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