American Rhododendron Society Web Site ARS
navigation menu background

Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2024


South West USA Region

R. 'Fastuosum Flore Pleno

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Fastuosum Flore Pleno'

Flower purple with ray of brownish-red spots on dorsal lobe, semi-double, funnel-shaped, 2" to 2¾" across.  Loose truss has 15-17 flowers.  Blooms late midseason.  Leaves oblong-obovate, 2" long, convex, dull, dark green.  Open, upright to rounded habit.  Typical height is 7 feet in 10 years.  Eventually can grow to a height of 12 ft. or more.  Plant and bud hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridizer is unknown.  Raised by Francoisi Brothers.

 
R. 'Mysterious Maddenii'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Mysterious Maddenii'

Flower white, flushed pink, yellow flair in upper throat, broadly funnel-shaped, 6" across, highly fragrant.  Truss holds about 6 flowers.  Blooms early.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, mid green above, underside scaly.  Open, spreading plant habit.  Reddish-brown peeling bark.  Typical height is 5 feet after 10 years.  Cold hardy to 25°F (-4°C).

 
R. 'Cayuga'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Cayuga'

Flower deep purplish pink with white throat, hose-in-hose, funnel-shaped, about 2½" across.  Held in clusters of 3 to 10 flowers.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves obovate, acute apex, cuneate base, 1¾" long, hairy.  Mounding, compact plant habit.  Grows to a typical height of 3 ft. in 10 yrs.  Cold hardy to 0°F (-18°C).  Hybridizer is unknown.  Raised by Guttormsen.

 
R. 'Northern Hi-Lights'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Northern Hi-Lights'

Flower pale yellow with vivid yellow blotch, aging to yellowish white, tubular funnel-shaped, 2⅜" across, fragrant.  Ball-shaped truss has 7-10 flowers.  Blooms late midseason.  Leaves obovate, acute apex, cuneate base, 2½" long, hairy.  Dense, spreading growth habit.  Grows to a typical height of 3 ft. in 10 yrs.  Cold hardy to -25°F (-32°C).  Hybridized at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Photos (top to bottom) by Ken Cox, Don Wallace, Don Wallace, Sally and John Perkins.

Prior Years Selections for South West USA Region

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


American Rhododendron Society
P.O. Box 43, Craryville, NY 12521
Ph: 631-533-0375   E-Mail: member@arsoffice.org
©1998-2024, ARS, All rights reserved.