Cover: Yellow Cloud
Don Hyatt, McLean, VA
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R. 'Yellow Cloud'
photo by Don Hyatt |
'Yellow Cloud' made its public debut at the 1982 ARS Convention in Washington D.C. Appropriately, the deciduous azalea's registration had just been published in the April Quarterly Bulletin. I had not previously exhibited this hybrid, as the plant typically flowers in late May, several weeks after our chapter truss show. However, this year I thought I would try to force a two year old cutting for the convention. Even though my timing was off and the bloom peaked a week before judging, the truss held up well and took Best in Show.
Yellow Cloud is a vigorous plant with ample dark green foliage. The huge trusses are clear yellow, ruffled and fragrant; individual flowers approach four inches in diameter. After last winter's record cold, I now know that the hardiness rating is at least-15°F.
In comparison to other deciduous azaleas, Yellow Cloud propagates very easily from cuttings. Even, so, plants will likely be scarce for a few years until adequate supplies become available.