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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2026 South Central USA Region |
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Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Tyler Morris' Sold under the trade name Southgate Radiance. Flower light purplish pink with reddish purple spotted blotch on upper lobes, broadly funnel-shaped, 2" - 3" across. Blooms midseason. Leaves elliptic, round apex, cuneate base, mid green. Upright growth habit. Typical height: 5 ft. in 10 years. Plant is cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C). Heat and humidity tolerant. Hybridized by Thornton. |
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Lepidote Rhododendron: PJM Elite Star 'PJM Elite Star' is a more dense and floriferous cultivar than 'PJM Elite'. Flower strong purplish red, openly funnel-shaped, wavy lobed, 2" across. Round-shaped truss holds 10-12 flowers. Blooms early midseason. Leaves elliptic, rounded to broadly acute apex, cuneate base, up to 1¾" long, flat, dark green, turning bronze mahogany in winter. Upright, dense growth habit. Grows to a typical height of 4 ft. in 10 years. Plant is hardy to -25°F (-32°C). Sport of 'PJM Elite' selected by Sidhu. |
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Evergreen Azalea: 'Stewartstonian' Flower moderate red with a slight flush of strong reddish orange along lower midribs in the throat, faint spotting of strong red on lower lobe, openly funnel-shaped, 1" across. Truss holds 2 flowers. Blooms early midseason to midseason. Leaves elliptic, ¾" long, glossy, green tinged red. Leaves turn wine red in winter. Dense, compact habit. Grows to about 5 ft. in 10 years. Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Gable. |
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Deciduous Azalea: 'Arneson Gem' Flower vivid yellow in throat, shading to reddish orange at margins, outside red, widely funnel-shaped, 3¾" across. Held in ball-shaped trusses with 10 to 15 flowers. Blooms early midseason to midseason. Leaves elliptic, apiculate apex, cuneate base, 2½" to 3½" long, slightly wrinkled above, slightly hairy below. Upright, spreading habit. Grows to approximately 3 ft. tall in 10 years. Cold hardy to -15°F (-26°C). Hybridized by Arneson. |
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Photos (top to bottom) unknown, courtesy Sprucedale Gardens, Harold Greer, Harold Greer |
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Prior Years Selections for South Central USA Region |
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