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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2021


North East USA and Canada Region

R. 'Ingrid Mehlquist'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Ingrid Mehlquist'

Flower pale pink, maturing to pure white, with burgundy blotch, broadly funnel-shaped, 2" across, slightly fragrant.  Ball-shaped truss has 20-22 flowers.  A late midseason bloomer.  Leaves elliptic to slightly obovate, flat, about 2½" long, glossy, dark green above, pale tan aging to rusty brown indumentum.  Hairy petioles.  Dense, spreading habit. Grows to a typical height of 2 ft. tall in 10 years.  Hardy to -20°F (-29°C).  Hybridized by Mehlquist.

 
R. 'Olga Mezitt'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Olga Mezitt'

Flower light purplish pink with inconspicuous gold green blotch that ages to reddish brown, openly to tubular funnel-shaped, wavy lobes, 1½" across.  Dome-shaped trusses hold about 12 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves lanceolate shaped with acute apex and cuneate base, convex, 2" long, yellow-green.  Leaves turn mahogany color in winter.  Upright growth habit.  Reaches an approximate height of 3 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15ºF (-26ºC).  Hybridized by Mezitt.

 
R. 'Pink Discovery'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Pink Discovery'

Flower moderate purplish pink with a darker pink, speckled, dorsal blotch, broadly funnel-shaped, wavy-edged, 2½" across.  Truss holds 4 flowers.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves elliptic, cuneate to rounded base, obtuse apex, flat, 2" long, glossy green.  Grows to a typical height of 3 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Mezitt.

 
R. 'Framingham'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Framingham'

Flower moderate yellowish pink inside with a brilliant orange yellow dorsal flare, outside strong pink, narrowly tubular-funnel shaped, 1¾" across, frilly-edges, fragrant.  Dome-shaped truss holds 8 flowers.  Blooms late.  Leaves obovate to oblong, down-curved edges, cuneate base, broadly acute apex, 2¼" long, semi-glossy, dark green, deciduous.  Grows to a height of about 3 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -20°F (-29°C).  Hybridizer is unknown.

Photos (top to bottom) by Sally and John Perkins, Sally and John Perkins, Weston Nurseries, Fredo Schroder Nursery.

Prior Years Selections for North East USA Region

2024

2023

2022

 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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