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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2026


South East USA Region

R. 'Michele Raley'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Michele Raley'

Sold under the trade name Southgate Brandi.  Flower pink with deep pink, ruffled edges, openly funnel-shaped, 2-3" across.  Ball-shaped truss.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves narrowly elliptic, apiculate apex, cuneate base, large, glossy, dark green.  Typical height: 5 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -10°F (-23°C).  Heat and humidity tolerant.  Hybridized by Thornton.

 
R. 'Rhein's Luna'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Rhein's Luna'

Flower light purple at edges shading lighter in throat, no markings, openly funnel-shaped, 1¾" across.  Ball-shaped truss has 4-6 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, convex, 2¾" to 3⅛" long, semi-glossy, moderate olive green.  Open growth habit.  Grows to a typical height of 5 ft. in 10 years.  Plant and bud hardy to -15°F (-26°C).  Hybridized by Rhein.

 
R. 'Harris Vibrant'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Harris Vibrant'

Flower yellowish white, with a broad band of vivid purplish red at the margins, with a faint blotch of tiny, deep purplish pink dots on the dorsal lobe, funnel-shaped, wavy-edged, single, about 2⅛" across.  Truss holds 2 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, slightly upcurved margins, 1¾" long, semi-glossy, strong yellow green, retained 2 years.  Intermediate plant habit.  Grows approximately to 2 ft. tall in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -5°F (-21°C).  Hybridized by Harris.

 
R. 'Pennsylvania'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Pennsylvania'

Flower light pink, orangish yellow throat, orange blotch on upper lobe, tubular funnel-shaped, fragrant.  Inflorescence has 4-5 flowers.  Blooms very late.  Leaves obovate, olive green, coppery yellow in Fall, deciduous.  Upright plant habit.  Typical height: 5 ft. in 10 years.  Cold hardy to -20°F (-29°C).  Hybridized by Mezitt.

Photos (top to bottom): courtesy of Southern Living magazine, Don Hyatt, Bob Stelloh, courtesy of Jenkins Arboretum.

Prior Years Selections for South East 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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