QBARS - v20n1 Rhododendrons in the Philadelphia Area

Rhododendrons in the Philadelphia Area
F. J. Sholomskas, Norristown, Pa.

In February, 1964, the Rhododendron Test Garden Committee (Sylvester F. Hubbard, Oscar F. Krebs and F.J. Sholumskas, Chairman.) of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society was assigned the task of rating rhododendrons with respect to both adaptability and quality in the Philadelphia area. This assignment led to questionnaires being sent out to the members of the chapter during the winter of 1964-1965. More than 100 questionnaires returned listed 169 hybrids and 33 species. These 202 plants were then rated on quality and adaptability, and comments were encouraged.

The report table is based on both average and median ratings for varieties that received five or more reports. In a group variety or species the ratings represent the better clones obtainable unless otherwise indicated.

The committee felt that it might be helpful to readers to indicate the number of recommendations that a plant received in addition to the number of growers reporting on that plant. Under "Reports," in the table, therefore, the first numeral represents the number of people recommending the plant as possibly the best in its class, while the second numeral represents the number of people reporting the plant. It was felt that these figures might prove to be helpful to someone interested in trying a particular variety.

Quality of bloom and plant are rated from 1 to 5; 1 would be the lowest 3 average, 5 the highest. The ratings will be expressed as fractions. The numeral above the line indicates flower quality, the numeral below the line the quality of the plant. No fraction given indicates insufficient experience with this variety in our area. Adaptability rating is from excellent to worthless. An excellent rating means that the plant will take considerable exposure in that zone; a good rating means that this variety does well in that zone if not given harsh exposure. Plants with ratings of fair or poor require considerable protection from wind and sun. If considerable variation in adaptability was reported this will be indicated by fair-good, poor-fair, etc.

Nearly all reports received could be filed as zone 7a U. S. D. A. Hardiness Map (average annual minimum temperature 0° to 5° F.) or zone 6b (average annual minimum temperature of -5° to 0° F.). In Pennsylvania the Schuylkill River can almost be considered the dividing line between the two zones. Northern Delaware and southern New Jersey are both in zone 7a.

Note 1: All the plants that had this comment are of the same parentage. All of these plants are rather similar especially in reference to their foliage and growth habits. While still young plants they are rather scrawny, but after about ten years they fill in nicely.

Note 2. It is said that about eight different clones are for sale as 'English Roseum', 'Roseum Elegans', and 'Roseum Pink'. It is evident that these names have been used inter-changeably by various nurseries. One form does exist that has soft rose-pink blossoms on a vigorous plant that has a superb habit and is easy to grow.