ARS Plant of the Year Award
Laura Kentala, Chair
Plant Awards Committee
Kirkland, Washington

Several years ago the ARS plant award process was determined to be too long and tedious and the Plant Awards Committee was asked to revise it. The ARS Board of Directors was asked for input and they recommended a "Plant of the Year Award" approach (similar to what the Rose Society has used for many years).

The current Plant Award Committee was given the difficult assignment of deciding how to chose one rhododendron to represent the world. The first step was to establish criteria for considering plants for the award. A list of eligible rhododendrons was developed using the individual ARS chapter lists of Proven Performers. Next was to decide on the number of awards to be given each year. Given the different climate conditions and the range of rhododendron climatic tolerances, it was decided to establish six regions representing most of North America. The committee met at the ARS Annual Convention this past year in Eugene, Oregon, and made their first selections.

The following is a list of the committee's first year choices. Part of the criteria is that each plant must be available to the general public and easily grown, as well as beautiful. If you have input and/ or would like to add your voice to next year's choice, please contact the Committee chair.

2002 REGIONAL PLANTS OF THE YEAR

North Eastern (Dist. 6, 7, 8, 12)
Elepidote – 'Janet Blair'
Lepidote – 'Mary Fleming'
Deciduous Azalea – R. schlippenbachii
Evergreen Azalea – 'Dayspring'

Mid Atlantic (Dist. 9)
Elepidote – 'Janet Blair'
Lepidote – 'Mary Fleming'
Deciduous Azalea – R. schlippenbachii
Evergreen Azalea – 'Dayspring'

South Eastern (Dist. 10)
Elepidote –'Vivacious'
Lepidote – 'Dora Amateis'
Deciduous Azalea – R. austrinum
Evergreen Azalea – 'Elsie Lee'

Mid Western (Dist. 11)
Elepidote – 'Mist Maiden'
Lepidote – 'Olga Mezitt'
Deciduous Azalea – 'Crimson Tide'
Evergreen Azalea – 'Karens'*

North Western (Dist. 1, 2, 3, 4 and California, De Anza, Eureka, Noyo chapters)
Elepidote – 'Ken Janeck'
Lepidote – 'Ginny Gee'
Deciduous Azalea – R. schlippenbachii
Evergreen Azalea – 'Hino-crimson'

Vireya – Swisher Award (Southern California, Hawaii, Monterey Bay chapters)
'Harry Wu'

* Unregistered name.