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Rhododendron of the Year Plant Awards: 2026


Mid-Atlantic USA Region

R. 'Holden52'

Elepidote Rhododendron: 'Holden52'

Sold under the trade name Southgate Splendor.  Flower moderate pink with regions of white, prominent blotch of dark red spotting on the upper petal, openly funnel-shaped, 2½" across.  Round truss has 10 to 15 flowers.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves obovate, shallow mucronate apex, broad attenuate base, 2½-4⅓" long, slightly recurved, glossy when mature, dark green.  Dense, mounding plant habit.  Grows to a typical height of 5½ ft. tall in 10 years.  Heat tolerant, and resistant to Phytophthera root rot.  Cold hardy to -15°F (-25°C).  Patented (PP30235) by Steve Krebs as part of a controlled breeding project.

 
R. 'Mister Blue'

Lepidote Rhododendron: 'Mister Blue'

Flower inside light purple blending to very pale purple at throat with light purple mid-vein, two rays of strong greenish yellow spots extending from throat below upper lobe, outside light purple, funnel-shaped, 2" across.  Dome shaped truss has 3-4 flowers.  Blooms early midseason.  Leaves elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins, 2¾" long, matte, grayish olive green, retained 2 years.  Reaches a typical height of 6 ft. in 10 years.  Plant is cold hardy to -5°F (-21°C).  Selected by Gable.

 
R. '‘Donald H. Voss'

Evergreen Azalea: 'Donald H. Voss'

Flower inside vivid purple, with slight tinting of light purple, deep purplish red blotch on 3 dorsal lobes, outside vivid purple, saucer-shaped, wavy edges, semi to fully double, 2½" across.  Two flowers per terminal bud.  Blooms midseason.  Leaves elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins, 1⅛" long, semi-glossy, moderate olive green.  Intermediate plant habit.  Grows to 3 ft. in height in 10 yrs.  Hardy to 0°F (-18°C).  Hybridized by Klimavicz.

 
R. 'Pink and Sweet'

Deciduous Azalea: 'Pink and Sweet'

Flower deep purplish-pink with a dark pink central stripe edged on each side with yellow flare on dorsal lobe, openly funnel-shaped, wavy edges, 1½" across.  Dome-shaped truss hold 7 flowers.  Blooms late.  Leaves obovate, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, down-curved margins, 2½" long, glossy dark green.  Upright, dense plant habit.  Grows to about 4 ft. tall in 10 years.  Hardy to -20°F (-29°C).  Hybridized by Mezitt.

Photos (top to bottom) by Don Hyatt, Don Hyatt, Joseph Klimavicz, courtesy of Weston Nurseries.

Prior Years Selections for Mid-Atlantic 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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Ph: 631-533-0375   E-Mail: member@arsoffice.org
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