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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2023


North East USA and Canada Region

R. 'Babylon'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Babylon'

Flower satin white with a deep red blotch in throat, openly funnel-shaped, 4"-5" across.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves large, glossy, medium green.  Dense, rounded plant habit with rigid branches.  Grows to a typical height of 5 ft. tall in 10 years.  Hardy to -10°F (-23°C).  Hybridizer by Reuthe.

 
R. 'Mary Fleming'

Lepidote Rhododendron: R. '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. 'Komo Kulshan'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Komo Kulshan'

Flower vivid purplish red, lighter in center, funnel-shaped, 1" across.  A late midseason bloomer.  Leaves elliptic, textured, about 1" long, mid green.  Has a spreading growth habit.  Grows to a height of 2 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -10° F (-23° C).  Selected form of R. kiusianum.

 
R. 'Jane Abbott'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Jane Abbott'

Flower strong yellowish pink, with a gold blotch, openly funnel-shaped, about 4" across, fragrant.  Blooms late midseason to late before leaves appear.  Leaves narrowly elliptic, glossy, mid green, deciduous.  Leaves red colored in Fall.  Upright, open growth habit.  Grows to a height of about 5 ft. in 10 years.  Plant and bud hardy to -25°F (-32°C).  Hybridized by Abbott.

Photos (top to bottom) by Steve Henning, June Bouchard, Sally and John Perkins, Sally and John Perkins.

Prior Years Selections for North East USA Region

2024

 

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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