American Rhododendron Society (ARS) named its 28 top azaleas and rhodies for 2008. The plants are selected for seven North American regions. The selections are made from the society’s Proven Performers lists and tested in ARS members’ gardens.
Awards are given in four categories: Elepidotes, lepidotes, evergreen azalea and deciduous azalea.
Northeast
Elepidote: ‘Capistrano.’
Lepidote: ‘Landmark.’
Deciduous azalea: R. atlanticum.
Evergreen azalea: ‘Linda Stuart.’
Mid-Atlantic
Elepidote: ‘Mist Maiden.’
Lepidote: ‘Weston’s Aglo.’
Deciduous azalea: ‘White Lightning.’
Evergreen azalea: ‘Dream.’
Southeast
Elepidote: ‘Vivacious.’
Lepidote: ‘Olga Mezitt.’
Deciduous azalea: R. austrinum.
Evergreen azalea: ‘Elsie Lee.
Elepidote: ‘Janet Blair.’
Lepidote: ‘Olga Mezitt.’
Deciduous azalea: ‘Arneson Gem.’
Evergreen azalea: ‘Stewartstonian.’
South Central
Elepidote: ‘Grace Seabrook.’
Lepidote: PJM Group.
Deciduous azalea: ‘My Mary.’
Evergreen azalea: ‘Blaauw’s Pink.’
Northwest
Elepidote: ‘Marie Starks.’
Lepidote: ‘Vibrant Violet.’
Deciduous azalea: ‘Cannon’s Double.’
Evergreen azalea: ‘Girard’s Fuchsia.’
Southwest
Elepidote: ‘Noyo Chief.’
Lepidote: ‘Ginny Gee.’
Deciduous azalea: ‘
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Evergreen azalea: ‘Ward’s Ruby.’
For more: American Rhododendron Society, (707) 822-6580; www.rhododendron.org.