Society identifies top rhodies for regions

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.

Great Lakes

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: ‘ Mount Saint Helens.’

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Evergreen azalea: ‘Ward’s Ruby.’

For more: American Rhododendron Society, (707) 822-6580; www.rhododendron.org.