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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2026


South Central USA Region

R. 'Tyler Morris'

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.

 
R. 'PJM Elite Star'

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.

 
R. 'Stewartstonian'

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.

 
R. 'Arneson Gem'

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.

Photos (top to bottom) unknown, courtesy Sprucedale Gardens, Harold Greer, Harold Greer

Prior Years Selections for South Central USA Region

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004


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