QBARS - v32n3 R. 'Judy Spillane'

R. 'Judy Spillane'
Franklin H. West, M.D., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Of all the hybrids John C. Wister produced in his search for a rhododendron display at Swarthmore College commencements, 'Judy Spillane' is perhaps the best. The foliage is unbelievably dense. The deep green leaves are usually held for three years or more. The plant is very well branched and remarkably symmetrical in habit. The parents are R. maximum (a pink budded form) x 'Janet Blair'. 'Janet Blair' is a Dexter F2 hybrid bred and named by D. G. Leach in 1958.

'Judy Spillane' in flower resembles 'Janet Blair' somewhat, but blooms almost two weeks later (June 1 in Philadelphia area), has up to 18 flowers in each truss, each flower 2.5 inches in diameter. The original plant is now eight feet tall and nearly seven feet across. The hybrid of R. maximum should go along way in dispelling the myth that maximum is an unfit parent.

Prior to being named in 1970, this hybrid was carried under the Swarthmore number 58-333A. The plant's name was suggested to Dr. Wister by C. F. Finegan to honor a very dedicated worker at Tyler Arboretum.