JARS v51n3 - Philadelphia Region 'Garden Gems'

Philadelphia Region 'Garden Gems'
Dan Layman
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania

We have long known that the genus Rhododendron turns enthusiasts into devoted partisans for their particular favorites - be they hybrids or species, lepidotes or elepidotes. At every opportunity, we eagerly compare our favorites to the lists of "Good Doers," "Garden Gems," or "Best Twenty" that are included in every rhododendron/azalea book ever published, as well as the Journal American Rhododendron Society . We tend to wonder why our favorites don't always make these lists. However, my eye for beauty doesn't necessarily agree with yours, and when you consider the almost infinite variety of rhododendrons on the market, you begin to understand there are Garden Gems to suit everyone.

Well, I wanted to see how many of my current favorites would make a list of 1997 Garden Gems. I sent survey forms to ARS members in the District 8 chapters: Greater Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, Pine Barrens, Susquehanna Valley and Valley Forge. The replies (44) proved interesting and instructive, as they came from a wide geographical area with a wide range of weather and growing conditions. Pennsylvania reports included Bethlehem, Cochranville, Gladwyne, Leesport, Narberth, Newville, Oreland, Philadelphia, Pottstown, Quakertown, Revere, Rydal, Villanova, and Wynnewood. New Jersey responses came from Cherry Hill, Clinton, Swedesboro, Vineland, and Voorhees. Other reports came from Wilmington, Delaware; Randellstown, Maryland; Berkely Springs, West Virginia; and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

THE TOP 25 ELEPIDOTES

Votes
Variety
Color
Comment

25
'Scintillation'
pink
"PERFECT PLANT," likes p.m. shade

17
'Janet Blair'
pink/cream
"Always pleasing," sun tolerant

16
'Roseum Elegans'
pink/lavender
"The standard for reliability and toughness, sun or shade, tall

14
'Solidarity'
rosy pink
"No. 1 for me," sun tolerant, yak hybrid

12
'Caroline'
orchid pink
"A must," good grower, tall, sun tolerant, fragrant

11
'Mist Maiden'
pink to white
"A garden plant for all seasons," yak or yak hybrid

11
'Gigi'
rosy red
"Excellent all around," sun tolerant, midsize

10
'Todmorden'
bicolor red/cream
"Good performer," tall, sun tolerant

9
'Mary Belle'
peachy yellow
"Beautiful flowers," low, sun tolerant

8
'Yaku Angel'
white
low, sun tolerant, floriferous yak

8
'Ruth Davis'
pink to white
great foliage, a.m. sun, p.m. shade, yak hybrid

8
'Ben Moseley'
light purple
glossy foliage, hardy, floriferous

8
'Catawbiense Album'
white
reliable, takes sun, very hardy

7
'Dexter's Champagne'*
pastel pink-buff
sun tolerant, fragrant, gets better with age

7
'Ken Janeck'
pink to white
classic yak or yak hybrid, low, hardy

7
'Wynterset White'
lavender to white
early-midseason, some fertilizer

7
'Judy Spillane'
pink
R. maximum hybrid, hardy, nice foliage

7
'Wheatley'
silvery pink
outstanding flowers, nice foliage

7
'Cadis'
light pink
fragrant, late bloom, big with time

7;
'Chionoides'
white
dark foliage, sun/cold tolerant, low

5
'David Gable'
pink/red throat
vigorous habit, good bloomer

5
'Nestucca'
white
low yak hybrid, interesting foliage

5
R. hyperythrum
white
species, low, hardy, good foliage

5
'Percy Wiseman'
peach apricot
yak hybrid, p.m. shade, avoid heat

5
'Catalode'
ivory
tall, vigorous, good bloomer





THE TOP FIVE LEPIDOTES

Votes
Variety
Color
Comment

8
'Olga Mezitt'
pink
vigorous, winter color, shiny foliage

7
PJM Group
lavender pink
early, sun tolerant, needs good drainage

7
'Windbeam'
white to pink
hardy grower, blooms in light shade

5
'Mary Fleming'
bisque yellow
early good bloom, low, takes sun

5
'Ginny Gee'
pink/white
2-foot dwarf, sun tolerant, rock garden hit


* Name is not registered.

As you might expect from a survey of our Mid-Atlantic region, 'Scintillation' was the most mentioned rhodie. However, you may be surprised at the mix of newer hybrids and old-timers. This newest list of Garden Gems and survey comments are shown here. We hope they prove useful to you in your gardening endeavors.