Quarterly Bulletin of the ARS - Vol 33 No 3, American Rhododendron Society Plant Registry

American Rhododendron Society Plant Registry

Names and descriptions of new American varieties (clones) will be published after the requirements for registration are met. You are urged to submit proposed names to the A.R.S. Plant Registrar before they are actually used. There are thousands of names already in use and a name to be registered must not have been used before and must meet the requirements of the International Code of Nomenclature of Cultivated Plants - 1969. Requests to register names must be submitted with A.R.S. Plant Registration Cards (revised 1972), completed as fully as possible to the A.R.S. Plant Registrar,, Edwin K. Parker, Astoria, OR. A $2.00 FEE IS CHARGED FOR EACH NAME REGISTERED, and should accompany the completed registration. Proposed names and descriptions will be checked by the A.R.S. Plant Registrar and then sent to the International Rhododendron Registrar for final approval and registration. Refer to A.R.S. Quarterly Jan. '74, Vol. 28, No. 1, p. 21 for additional information on registration. Color designations below refer to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1966, unless otherwise stated.

ABEGAIL : 'Loder's White' x R. calophytum (pink section). Cross (1962), raised, and introduced by Carl H. Phetteplace, M. D., Leaburg, OR. Flowers of good substance, widely funnel-campanulate, 7 cm. across x 6 cm. long, with 5 wavy lobes, Red Purple Group 62B (Phlox Pink), with dorsal, basal, 1 cm. blotch Red Purple Group 60D. Stigma large, green. Red Purple Group 61 D near base on reverse of corolla. Calyx minute, 63A. Truss 16 cm. x 16 cm., ball-shaped, with 12-14 flowers. Leaves held 2 years, 14 cm. x 5 cm., narrowly elliptic, acute, rounded, glabrous, Green Group 138A. Plant upright, branching moderately, 9' tall x 6' wide in 15 years. Blooms in early April. Hardy to 0° to -6° F.
BONNIE MAID : R. fortunei x unknown. Cross (1968) by Maurice E. Hall. Raised and introduced by Edward J. Brown, Lakeville, MA. Flowers saucer-shaped, 7 cm. across x 3.5 cm. long, with 7 wavy lobes, fragrant, Red Group 55B (Neyron Rose) with 2 dorsal rays Red Group 53A (Cardinal Red). Calyx Minute. Truss 13 cm. x 13 cm., ball-shaped, with 10-13 flowers. Leaves held 2 years, 14 cm. x 5 cm., narrowly elliptic, apiculate, cuneate, glabrous, Green Group 13 7A. Plant upright, branching moderately with stiff branches, 5' tall x 3' wide in 9 years. Blooms in early May. Hardy to at least -10° F.
BUTTER MINT : 'Unique' x ('Fabia' x R. dichroanthum ssp. apodectum ). Cross (± 1960), raised, and introduced (± 1972) by Dick Mauritsen, Kent Nursery, Kent, WA. Named and registered by Harold E. Greer. Synonyms: Compact Yellow (Mauritsen) and Aristocrat (Sather, Whitney Nursery). Buds orange. Flowers campanulate, 2¾" across x 1¾" high, with 5 wavy lobes, lighter than brilliant yellow 2.5 Y 9/9 (Nickerson) with moderate pink 5 R 8/6 edging and reverse shading (disappears with age). Calyx ¼-½", colored as corolla and with pink edge. Truss 6" across x 4" high, flat, with 15 flowers. Leaves held 2-3 years, 3" x 1¼", elliptic, acute, rounded, slightly bullate, medium green. Plant rounded, branching well with stiff, upright branches, 3' x 3' in 10 years. Blooms in mid-May. Hardy to at least 0° F.
CAROL AMELIA : 'Polar Bear' x 'Evening Glow'. Cross (1967), raised, and introduced by A. John Holden, Shelton, WA. Buds Red Group 39D (Azalea Pink). Flowers openly funnel-shaped, 5" across x 2¾" long, with 7 wavy lobes, very fragrant, white tinged Yellow Group 11 C (Naples Yellow), with Greyed Red Group 180B dorsal spotting 1" wide x 2" long, reverse white with streaks of Red Purple Group 63B. Calyx negligible. Truss 8" across x 5" high, somewhat open and lax, with 8-10 flowers. Free flowering. Leaves held 2 years, 7½" x 2", narrowly elliptic, acute, rounded, glabrous, Yellow Green Group 146A. Plant upright, branching well with stiff branches, 4' x 4' in 10 years. Blooms in mid-June. Hardy to at least -5° F.
COMSTOCK : 'Jalisco" x 'Jasper'. Cross (1955) by Del James. Raised and introduced (1965) by Harold E. Greer, Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. Flowers open-funnel-campanulate, 3½" across x 2" long, with 5 evenly rounded lobes, lighter than moderate orange yellow 10 YR 8/10 (Nickerson), with deeper throat and pale pink 2.5 R 9/3 streaks on reverse. Calyx ¼-1", colored as corolla. Truss 8" across x 4" high, lax, with 8 flowers. Leaves held 3 years, 5" x 3", broadly elliptic to obovate, obtuse, cordate, glabrous, medium green. Plant broad, branching well, 3' tall x 4' wide in 10 years. Blooms in early May. Hardy to at least -5° F.
CORAL VELVET : R. yakushimanum hybrid. Seedling from Japan (1930) and raised by Henry Swanson. Named, introduced (1970), and registered by Harold E. Greer, Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. Buds deep coral pink. Flowers widely funnel-campanulate, 1¾" across x 1½" long, with 5 wavy lobes, opening moderate yellowish pink 7.5 R 8/6 (Nickerson) with slight deeper pink spotting, fading with age to lighter than light yellowish pink 7.5 R 9 / 3. Calyx minute, pink. Truss 4" across x 2½" high, flat, with 5 flowers. Free flowering. Leaves held 2 years, 2½" x ¾", lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, acute, cuneate, convex, glossy, deep green, with heavy light tan indumentum. Winter buds and new growth white tomentose. Plant upright, semi-dwarf, branching moderately, 2½' tall x 2' wide in 10 years. Blooms in late April. Hardy to at least -10° F.
CZECH BEAUTY : 'Goldsworth Yellow' x unknown. Seed from Schumacher Seed Co., 1960. Raised and introduced by Louis A. Hindla, Bohemia, NY. Flowers of heavy substance, openly funnel-shaped, 3½" across x 1¼" long, with 5 wavy lobes, Yellow Group 4D (Primrose Yellow) with Greyed Orange Group 168A spotting. Calyx ⅛", medium green. Truss 7" across x 5" high, dome-shaped, with 11 flowers. Leaves held 3 years, 5" x 1⅞", narrowly elliptic, apiculate, cuneate, glossy, Green Group 137A. Plant rounded, branching well, with upright branches, 7' tall x 8' wide in 18 years. Blooms mid- to late May. Hardy to at least -10° F.
EVA REBECCA : 'Polar Bear' x 'Autumn Gold'. Cross (1967), raised, and introduced by A. John Holden, Shelton, WA. Buds Red Group 42D. Flowers openly funnel-shaped, 4" across x 3" long, with 7 wavy lobes, fragrant, outer 1/3 of corolla Orange Group 28D, inner 2/3 reds Yellow Orange Group 19C (Indian Yellow), with dorsal Greyed Orange Group 171 C spotting from deep within throat 1" wide x 2" long. Calyx 1¼", shading from Red Group 37B to 50B at pedicel. Truss 8" across x 5" high, somewhat open and lax, with 8-10 flowers. Floriferous. Leaves held 2 years, 7½" x 2", narrowly elliptic, acute, cuneate, glabrous, Yellow Green Group 146A. Plant upright, branching well with stiff branches, 3½' tall x 4' wide in 10 years. Blooms in mid-June. Hardy to at least -5°F.
FIRE WINE : 'Purple Splendour' x 'Fire Bird'. Cross (1960), raised, and introduced (1978) by Harold E. Greer, Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. Flowers openly funnel-shaped, 3" across x 1½" long, with 5 frilled lobes, lighter than deep purplish red 7.5 RP 3/9 (Nickerson) with slightly deeper spotting on dorsal lobe. Calyx minute, colored as corolla. Truss 7½" across x 4½" high, flat, with. 16 flowers. Floriferous. Leaves held 2 years, 4" x 1¼", narrowly elliptic, acute (sometimes apiculate), cuneate, glabrous, medium green. Plant broad, branching moderately, 3½' tall x 4' wide in 10 years. Blooms in mid-May. Hardy to at least 0° F.
HAZEL : R. bureavii hybrid. Origin of seed is unknown. Raised (1960) and introduced (1970) by Harold E. Greer, Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. Buds deeper pink than flowers. Flowers widely funnel-campanulate, 3" across x 2" long, with 5 evenly rounded lobes, slightly darker than pale purplish pink 2.5 RP 9/2 (Nickerson), with deeper edging both inside and out and with very slight brown spotting. Calyx 1/8", green. Truss 5" x 5", ball-shaped, with 12-15 flowers. Leaves held 2 years, 4¾" x 1⅛", narrowly oblong to narrowly elliptic, acute, cuneate, glossy, deep green, with moderate amount of woolly, tan to brown indumentum. New growth white tomentose. Plant upright, branching moderately with stiff branches, 5' tall x 4' wide in 10 years. Blooms in mid-April. Hardy to at least -15° F.
HOHMAN : A selected R. prunifolium considered to be the best in habit, color, and freedom of flowering of numerous seedlings raised by Henry J. Hohman, Kingsville Nurseries, MD. Seed or plant probably c.w. (±1944, grown by Hohman until some 10' tall, and presented to U.S. National Arboretum in 1959 (via Glenn Dale Station). Introduced by the Arboretum in 1971. Described and registered by Dr. Henry T. Skinner. Flowers of heavy substance, long-tubular campanulate, 1½-1¾" across x 1½" long, with 5 evenly rounded lobes, Red Group 39A (Jasper Red) with' lobe edges somewhat lighter Orange Red Group 34C. Calyx negligible. Truss 3" across x 1" high, flat to lax, with 4-5 flowers. Leaves 2-4" x ¾-1", elliptic to obovate or oblong, acute to short acuminate and usually gland tipped, cuneate to somewhat rounded, glabrous, intermediate dull green, green or purple in autumn. New stems purplish-red. Plant upright, rounded, branching well, 10' tall x 6' wide in ± 15 years. Blooms in early August. Hardy to at least 0° F.
JANE HOLDEN : 'Polar Bear' x 'Autumn Gold'. Cross (1967), raised, and introduced by A. John Holden, Shelton, WA. Buds Orange Red Group 35C (Brick Red). Flowers openly funnel-shaped, 4" across x 3" long, with 7 wavy, reflexed lobes, fragrant, Red Group 48D (Empire Rose), with Red Group 35C dorsal lobe spotting from deep within throat about 1" wide x 2" long. Calyx 1", Red Group 39C (Jasper Red). Truss 8" across x 4" high, somewhat open and lax, with 8-10 flowers. Free flowering. Leaves held 2 years, 7½" x 2", narrowly elliptic, acute, cuneate, glabrous, Yellow Green Group 146A. Plant upright, branching well with stiff branches, 4' tall x 5' wide in 10 years. Blooms in early June. Hardy to at least -5° F.
KARENS : An evergreen azalea. Probably 'Hinodegiri' x R. poukhanense . Cross (± 1940), raised, and introduced by Anker and Aaugi Pederson (brothers), Pederson's Nursery, Wayne, NJ. Widely distributed throughout Midwest by Verkade's Nurseries, Wayne, NJ. Synonym: Karen. Described and registered by Rebecca Keith and Prof. Floyd A. Giles, Univ. of IL, Urbana. Flowers of good substance, openly funnel-shaped, 1¾" across x 1¼" long, with 5 wavy lobes, slightly fragrant, Doge Purple 732/3 (H.C.C.), with 732 spotting in dorsal 3 lobe sector. Flower cluster 2½-2¾" across x 1¾-2" high, lax, with 3-4 flowers. Free flowering. Leaves held 1 year (in Illinois, until January; then deciduous until spring), 1¼" x ½", elliptic to narrowly obovate, apiculate, cuneate, glossy, hairy, Spinach Green o960, turning to wine red in winter, under surface hairy. Plant rounded, branching well, 4' x 4' in 6-8 years. Blooms in late April to early May. Hardy to at least -25° F. Sets flower buds very early in the fall. Will tolerate pH 7.
KIMBETH : 'Kimberly' x 'Elizabeth'. Cross (1960), raised, and introduced (1970) by Harold E. Greer, Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. Flowers funnel-shaped, 2½" across x 2" long, with 5 evenly rounded lobes, deep purplish pink 7.5 RP 6/12 (Nickerson) (Neyron Rose). Calyx minute, red. Truss 4" x 4", flat, with 3-5 flowers. Floriferous. Leaves held 2 years, 2¾" x 1⅜", elliptic to oblong, apiculate, rounded, glabrous, medium green. New foliage bronze. Plant rounded, branching well, 4' tall x 6' wide in 14 years. Blooms in early May. Hardy to at least 0° F.
KULU : A natural hybrid grown by Joseph B. Gable from seed collected by Dr. J. F. Rock in China (1929 Expedition). Previously known as R. vernicosum aff., Rock 18139, Gable selection #2. Discussed Quarterly Bulletin, A. R. S., 30:1, 30:2, and in this issue. Introduced by Gable Nursery, Stewartstown, PA, about 1958. Buds Red Group 48A-49A. Flowers of heavy substance, openly funnel-shaped, 3½-4" across x 2" long, with 7 wavy lobes, fragrant, Red Group 49C (Venetian Pink) blending to 49D (French Rose) in throat, with indistinct 49A dorsal blotch, reverse 49A blending to 49C. Calyx minute, green. Truss 7-8" across x 6" high, dome-shaped, with 7-10 flowers. Free flowering. Showy, rose red bracts on new growth (quickly deciduous). Leaves held 2 years, 3½-4½" x 1¾", narrowly elliptic to elliptic, apiculate, cuneate to rounded, glabrous, Yellow Green Group 146A-B. Plant rounded, branching well, 8' x 8' in ± 20 years. Blooms in early May. Hardy to at least -10° F
LAWTON'S CHINESE RED : Parents unknown. Probably from open pollinated seed, ± 1.960. Raised by Lloyd H. Lawton, Tiverton,' RI. Introduced (1976) by Hoogendoorn Nurseries, Inc. Flowers openly funnel-shaped, 7 cm. across x 4.5 cm. long, with 5 wavy lobes, Currant Red 82½ (H.C.C.) with no markings. Calyx negligible, pink and red. Truss 12 cm. across x 10 cm . high, dome-shaped, somewhat open, with 12-15 flowers. Leaves held 3 years, 10 cm. x 3½ cm., lanceolate, acute, rounded, quite flat except extreme outer edges down-turned, dull, slightly bullate, dark green, with slight (not very visible) light buff indumentum. Plant rounded, semi-dwarf, branching well, 4½' x 4½' ± 20 years. Blooms in mid- to late May. Hardy to at least -5° F.
LEEANN: ('Carmen' x 'Choremia') x 'Gill's Crimson'. Cross (1969), named, and introduced by Carl G. Heller, M.D., Poulsbo, WA. Raised by Shirley Lent. Flowers widely funnel-campanulate, 4" x 4", with 5 evenly rounded lobes, Red Purple Group 60A with light blotch of maroon spots. Calyx minute, pink. Truss 4¾" across x 3½" high, lax, with 8 flowers. Leaves held 3 years, 4.5-7.5 cm. x 2-3.5 cm., elliptic, apiculate, cuneate, glabrous, Green Group 141A. Plant rounded, semi-dwarf, branching well, 3' tall x 2½' wide in 10 years. Blooms in early April. Hardy to at least 10° F.

MINAS MAID : 'Nova Zembla' x R. yakushimanum . Cross (1966) by George S. Swain. Raised by Swain and Dr. D. L. Craig, Research Station, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada. Named and introduced by Dr. Craig, Agriculture Canada. Flowers openly funnel-shaped, 2¼" across x 2" long, with 5 wavy lobes, Red Purple Group 62B (Phlox Pink) with dorsal ruby fleck (near 61 B). Calyx minute, Yellow Group 11 C. Truss 5" across x 4" high, ball-shaped, with 15 flowers. Floriferous. Leaves held more than 2 years, 3¾" x 1¾", elliptic, acute, cuneate, slightly revolute, glabrous, glossy, Green Group 137A, with medium amount of Greyed Brown Group 199B indumentum (secondary veins show through). Plant rounded, semi dwarf, branching well, 36" tall x 39" wide in 11 years. Blooms in early June. Hardy to at least -15° F.
MOUNT SIGA : A natural hybrid grown by Joseph B. Gable from seed collected by Dr. J. F. Rock in China (1929 Expedition). Previously known as R. vernicosum aff., Rock 18139, Gable selection #1. Discussed Quarterly Bulletin, A.R.S., 30:1 (with cover photograph), 30:2, and in this issue. Introduced by Gable Nursery, Stewartstown, PA, about 1958. Buds Red Group 48C. Flowers openly funnel-shaped, 3½-4" across x 2" long, with 7 wavy lobes, sometimes slightly fragrant, Red Group 36D (Orient Pink) blending to 36B in throat, with indistinct Greyed Red Group 179C dorsal blotch and spotting in throat, reverse Red Group 48C-D. Calyx minute, green. Truss 7-8" across x 6" high, dome-shaped, with 7-10 flowers. Floriferous. Showy, pale rose bracts on new growth (quickly deciduous). Leaves held 2 years, 3½-4½" x 1¾", narrowly elliptic to elliptic, apiculate, cuneate to rounded, glabrous, Yellow Green Group 146A-B. Plant upright, rounded, branching well, 8' x 8' in ± 20 years. Blooms in early May. Hardy to at least -5° F.
MRS. A. J. HOLDEN : 'Polar Beer' x 'Evening Glow'. Cross (1967), raised, and introduced by A. John Holden, Shelton, WA. Buds Yellow Green Group 154D. Flowers openly funnel-shaped, 5¼" across x 2½" long, with 7 wavy, recurved lobes, very fragrant, Yellow Group 8C (Mimosa Yellow) with dorsal Yellow Green Group 145B spotting 1¼" wide x 2" long from deep in throat (spotting can be almost absent), lobe edging Red Group 37D (Shell Pink), reverse shades from 8C to a darker 10B toward calyx. Calyx negligible. Truss 8" across x 4" high, somewhat open and lax, with 8-10 flowers. Floriferous. Leaves held 2 years, 7½" x 2", narrowly elliptic, acute, rounded, glabrous, Yellow Green Group 146A. Plant upright, branching well with stiff branches, 4' x 4' in 10 years. Blooms in mid-June. Hardy to at least -5° F.
SAINT MARY'S : ( R. brachycarpum x R. catawbiense ) (an unnamed hybrid with fair, white bloom and excellent foliage; cross was made by registrant at Cornell Univ. in the early 1930s) x unnamed R. fortunei hybrid with large pale cream flowers. Cross (1945), raised, and introduced (1976) by Dr. Henry T. Skinner, Bowie, MD. Buds pale lavender. Flowers widely funnel-shaped, 3" across x 1" long, with 5 wavy lobes, fragrant, very pale violet 2.5 P 8/4 (Nickerson) becoming strikingly pure white as the flower opens, with a short dorsal, basal flare varying among flowers from twin streaks of light gray green to the same color lightly overlaid with maroon or purplish red. Calyx minute, light green. Truss 5½" across x 5" high, ball-shaped, with 9-13 flowers. Leaves held 2 years, 5" x 2", narrowly elliptic to elliptic, broadly apiculate, cuneate to somewhat cordate or oblique, glossy, moderate to dark olive green 5 GY 4/3-3/2. Plant upright, broad, branching moderately, 6' x 6' in 9 years. Blooms early to mid-May. Hardy to at least 0° F. Primarily selected for naming for the quality and clarity of its flowers. Foliage is good, although the plan (in fair shade) may become a bit leggy. Wider testing may suggest a tougher hardiness rating than that indicated. It has never been injured in Maryland - even during the past two years when some "ironclads" have been cut to the ground.
SOFUS ECKREM : 'Marinus Koster' x 'Pilgrim'. Cross (1963), raised, and introduced by Sigrid Laxdall, Bellingham, WA. Buds Phlox Pink 625 (H.C.C.). Flowers of heavy substance, openly funnel-shaped, 4½" across x 2¾" long, with 5 frilled lobes, Rose Pink 427 / 3 with ¼" border to lobes much deeper pink and some spotting. Calyx ¼", red. Truss 6" across x 5½" tall, conical, with 10-11 flowers. Free flowering. Leaves held 2 years, 8" x 2¾", narrowly elliptic, acute with apiculus, cuneate, glabrous, glossy, darj green. Plant broad, branching moderately, 5½' tall x 3½' wide in 15 years (for plant grown in shade; probably would be wider than tall if grown in sun, in open, un-crowded). Blooms in early June. Hardy to at least 10° F.
STAR OF SPRING : Parents unknown. Cross (±1960) by Donald L. Hardgrove. Raised (after 1964) and introduced (1966) by Doris Royce, Remsenburg, NY. Described by Alfred Raustein and Mrs. Royce. Buds Red Purple Group 58B (Rose Red). Flowers of good substance, openly funnel-shaped, 5½" across x 4" high, with 6 evenly rounded to wavy lobes, slightly fragrant, opens soft pink, fades to White Group 155B, with Red Purple Group 67A spotting, reverse edging Red Purple Group 62D to 63C. Calyx 3 mm., yellow green. Truss 6" across x 4-5" tall, conical, with 13 flowers. Free flowering. Leaves held 2 years, 5" x 2", elliptic, apiculate, cuneate, glossy, bullate, Green Group 137A. Plant upright, rounded, branching well with arching branches, 5' tall x 6' wide in ± 17 years. Blooms in mid-April. Hardy to at least -8° F.
SUGAR PINK : 'Trude Webster' x ('Fawn' x 'Queen of the May'). Cross (± 1960), raised and introduced (1972) by Harold E. Greer, Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. Flowers openly funnel-shaped, 5" across x 3" long, with 5 evenly rounded lobes, lighter than light purplish pink 2.5 RP 8/5 (Nickerson), with very light brown spotting. Calyx ⅛", green. Truss 5½" across x 11" high, tall, with 12 flowers. Leaves held 2-3 years, 8" x 3", narrowly elliptic to elliptic lanceolate, apiculate, cuneate, glabrous, glossy, deep green. Plant upright, branching moderately with stiff branches, 6' tall x 5' wide in 10 years. Blooms in early May. Hardy to at least -5° F.
SUNSPRAY : 'Alice Franklin' x 'Crest'. Cross (1969) and raised by Willard Swenson. Named and introduced (1979) by Harold E. Greer, Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. Flowers open-funnel-campanulate, 5" across x 2" long, with 6 wavy lobes, Yellow Group 4C (Primrose Yellow), shading deeper, 4A to 4B toward and in throat. Calyx ⅛-¼ ", green. Truss 8" across x 5' high, flat, with 9-10 flowers. Leaves held 2 years, 6" x 2½", elliptic, apiculate, cuneate, glabrous, Green Group 139A. Plant upright, branching moderately with stiff branches, 6' tall x 5' wide in 10 years. Blooms in late April, early May. Hardy to at least -5° F.
VAN : R. griersonianum ' x 'Countess of Derby'. Cross (before 1950) by Theodore Van Veen, Sr. Raised from small seedling and introduced (1965) by Paul Griebnow, Salem, OR. Described and registered by Harold E. Greer. Sibling of 'Anna Rose Whitney' and 'Lucky Strike'. Flowers of heavy substance, openly funnel-shaped, 4½" across x 2" long, with 5 evenly rounded lobes, slightly lighter than deep purplish pink 7.5 RP 6/12 (Nickerson), with heavy spotting deep purplish red 7.5 RP 3/9 in middle of dorsal lobe. Truss 8" across x 5½" high, dome-shaped, with 13-15 flowers. Leaves held over 2 years, 4" x 1⅞", elliptic, bullate, dull deep green. Plant broad, branching well with stiff branches, 5' x 5' in 10 years. Blooms in late May. Hardy to -5 to -10° F.
WAR DANCE : 'Mars' x 'Pygmalion'. Cross (1970) by Maurice E. Hall. Raised and introduced by Edward J. Brown, Lakeville, MA. Flowers of heavy substance, open-funnel-campanulate, 7 cm. across x 5 cm. long, with 5 wavy lobe's, Red Group 46A (Currant Red) with moderate, dorsal, black blotch and spotting. Calyx minute. Truss 17 cm. across x 19 cm. high, ball-shaped, with 17-21 flowers. Leaves held 2 years, 13 cm. x 5 cm., narrowly elliptic to elliptic, apiculate, cuneate, glabrous, Green Group 136A. Plant broad, branching moderately, 3' tall x 5' wide in 7 years. Blooms in mid-May. Hardy to at least -10° F.
WARM GLOW : R. dichroanthum hybrid x 'Vida'. Cross (1960), raised, and introduced (1976) by Harold E. Greer, Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. Flowers campanulate, 2½" across x 2" long, with 5 evenly rounded lobes, strong reddish orange 7.5 R 6 / 12 (Nickerson) on outside of flower, inside tube (throat) strong orange 5 YR 7/11, lobes lighter, slight dark red 2.5 R 3 / 7 spotting in dorsal throat. Calyx ¼-½", orange. Truss 7" across x 3¾" long, lax, with 10-12 flowers. Free flowering. Leaves held 2 years, 4¼"-1½", narrowly elliptic, acute, cuneate, glabrous, medium green. Plant rounded, branching well, 3' x 3' in 10 years. Blooms mid-to late May. Hardy to at least 0° F.
WHITE GOLD : 'Mrs. J. G. Millais' x unknown. Cross (1960), raised, and introduced (1970) by Harold E. Greer, Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. Flowers widely funnel-shaped, 3½" across x 1¼" long, with 6 wavy lobes, white with large dorsal flare from throat brilliant yellow 2.5 Y 9/9 (Nickerson). Calyx ⅛", green. Truss 6" across x 4" high, dome-shaped, with 10 flowers. Leaves held 2 years, 3½" x 1½", lanceolate, obtuse, cuneate, glabrous, medium green. Plant rounded, branching moderately, 4-5' x 4-5' in 10 years. Blooms in early May. Hardy to at least -5° F.
YELLOW RIVER : This clone collected from a wild swarm of R. austrinum x R. canescens hybrids found by Dr. Henry T. Skinner (1951) growing near the Yellow River, Okaloosa Co., FL. However, while the vigor of this selection may possibly be attributable to hybrid parentage, its diagnostic characters are so close to R. austrinum that it becomes logically assignable to this species. Introduced by the U. S. National Arboretum in 1971. Described and registered by Dr. Henry T. Skinner. Flowers narrow tubular campanulate, 1⅛" across x 1½" long, with 5 wavy lobes, fragrant, lobes and upper tube brilliant yellow 2.5 Y 9 / 9 (Nickerson), lower half of tube moderate orange yellow 7.5 YR 8/8, rather than strawberry red which is more typical of the species, with inconspicuous vivid yellow 2.5 Y 8/12 blotch. Calyx minute, light green. Truss 4" across x 2" high, flat, with 10-12 flowers. Leaves held later than most deciduous azaleas, 3½" x 1", elliptic to oblong-obovate, acute and gland tipped, cuneate, moderate yellowish green, between 10 GY 4/ 5 and 5 GY 4/ 3, finely hairy on both surfaces, not colored in fall. Plant upright, rounded, branching well, 11' tall x 9' wide in 20 years. Blooms in early May. Hardy to at least 5° F. Selection for naming was based on unusual vigor, pleasing habit, decorative qualities, and ease of propagation from cuttings.