QBARS - v29n2 R. 'Carolyn Grace'

R. 'Carolyn Grace'
Meldon Kraxberger, Portland, Oregon

During the late 1950's there appeared in collectors' gardens in the Northwest a different yellow rhododendron. 'Carolyn Grace' was named by the late George Grace for his daughter. The origin is a little obscure: some say a R. wardii cross (crossed with what?) and some say a selected R. wardii (selected from whence?). No matter, it is a lovely rhododendron. In fifteen years the plant will grow higher than a man. The plant structure is good and there is the typical dark green rounded foliage, lighter beneath, of R. wardii . Bud set is heavy and frost resistance good, so the plant blooms from top to bottom, about May first. Removal of spent flowers is essential with this quantity of bloom.

The truss is loose, corollas medium size, open wide. Buds are tinted coral on the outside at first, soon fading to the unique color, which is not really yellow, either golden or lemon, or ivory or cream but more of a very, very pale lime. This is a luminous color in the spring garden, particularly so at half-light. 'Carolyn Grace' in bloom remains in top form for an extremely long time.

The plant does not require the amount of coddling as to shade as do most rhododendrons of this type; indeed, it will thrive in sun with normal care. Cuttings root and grow readily. 'Carolyn Grace' has an American rating of 3/4, hardy to 5 degrees. It has an A. E. from the American Rhododendron Society in 1960; there is no English rating as yet. Four martinis will cover the cost of a young plant of this "chartreuse" rarity - when you finally find one for sale.