American Rhododendron Society Plant Registry

The following rhododendron and azalea names, submitted through the North American registrar, were approved and added to the International Rhododendron Register prior to May 1, 2003 by the Royal Horticultural Society, International Cultivar Registration Authority for the genus Rhododendron . Names conform to the rules and recommendations of the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants - 1995.

Color numbers refer to the RHS Colour Chart unless noted otherwise. Accompanying color names are taken from A Contribution toward Standardization of Color Names in Horticulture , R.D. Huse and K.L. Kelly, edited by D.H. Voss (ARS, 1984). The format for reporting parentage conforms with that now used by the ICRA. If the direction of the cross is known, the seed parent is followed by an "(s)". For the plant being described, seed and pollen parents are separated by an upper case "X". If either parent is itself a cross, the individual components within that cross are separated by a lower case "x". Parentheses are used only in describing the more complex crosses.

Abbreviations are used where appropriate: (a) = azalea, (r) = rhododendron, (v) = vireya rhododendron, (z) = azaleodendron; H = hybridized by, G = grown to first flower by, R = raised by, S = selected by, N = named by, I = introduced commercially by, REG = registered by; dates are enclosed in parentheses immediately following the activity. Metric conversions of flower and leaf measurements are reported in 5mm (0.2") increments for dimensions greater than 25mm (1").

(a) 'August Sunrise': Deciduous azalea: R. arborescens (s) X unknown (open pollinated). H (1978): Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA; G (c 1985-88), N, and REG (2003): Richard Cavender, Sherwood, OR. Fls 3-5/lax truss, tubular funnel-shaped, 1.25" (30mm) long x 1.25" (30mm) wide, 5 flat-edged lobes; lightly scented; buds deep pink (48B) with moderate pink (49B) ribs and tube, opening inside strong yellowish pink (38A) with a dorsal flare of light orange yellow (19A) darkening to brilliant orange yellow (23B); outside strong pink (48C) fading to light pink (49C). Truss 3" high x 4" wide (75 x 100mm). Lvs 1.25"-2" x 0.5"-0.75" (30-50 x 13-20mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins; semi-glossy and strong yellow green (143A) above, hairless. Shrub 6' (1.8m) high x 4'(1.2m) wide in 24 years; open, layered habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 5°F (-15°C). Late August-early September, flowering period highly variable depending on weather.

(a) 'Aunt Bess': Evergreen azalea. 'Corinne Murrah' (s) X unknown (open pollinated). S (c1987), G (c1985), N (2003), and REG (2003): William L. Clagett, Derwood, MD; to be I (c 2005): White's Nursery, Germantown, MD. Fls 2-3/truss, openly funnel-shaped, 1.8" (45mm) x 2.5" (65mm) wide, 5 wavy-edged lobes; deep purplish pink (68A) in bud, opening inside and out with a white center and a well-defined border of strong purplish pink (68B) around the edge of each lobe; the dorsal lobes inside with some strong purplish red (71B) spotting on pink areas, and dark greenish yellow (152D) spotting on white. Calyx lobes 0.2" (5mm) long, light yellowish green. Lvs 1" (25mm) x 0.4" (10mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins, glossy and moderate olive green (147A) above, with sparse white to off-white hairs below. Shrub 2' (0.6m) tall x 3' (0.9m) wide in 20 years, intermediate habit. Plant and buds hardy to at least -12°F (-24°C). Late May.

R. 'Aunt Bess' Photo by William L. Clagett

(r) 'Berry Shine': Elepidote rhododendron: ['Yaku Sunrise' x ('C.I.S.' x 'Jingle Bells')] (s) X 'Blue Rhapsody'. H (1985) and G (1991): G.H. Kesterson, Freeland, WA; N (2003): Bernard & Karol Nelson, Sedro-Woolley, WA; REG (2003): Nelson's Nursery, Sedro-Woolley, WA. Fls 12/ball truss, broadly funnel-shaped, 1.8" (45mm) long x 3" (75mm) wide, with 6 frilly-edged lobes; deep purplish red (61A) in bud, opening inside vivid reddish purple (74B) with sparse, strong orange yellow (163B) dorsal spotting; outside vivid reddish purple (74A). Truss 4.5" (115mm) high x 4.5" (115mm) wide. Lvs held 3 years, 6" x 2.5" (150 x 65mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins; dull and dark yellowish green (139A) above. Shrub 3.5' (1.1m) high x 4' (1.2m) wide in 10 years. Plant hardy to at least 0°F (-18°C); buds, 5°F (-15°C). Early May.

(a) 'Debbie Beth': Evergreen azalea. 'Elsie Lee' (s) X 'Martha Hitchcock'. H (1993), G (1997), N (2002), and REG (2003): William L. Clagett, Derwood, MD; I (2003): White's Nursery, Germantown, MD. Fls 2-3/truss, openly funnel-shaped, 1.5" (40mm) x 2.8" (70mm) wide, 12-15 frilly-edged lobes; strong reddish purple (72C) in bud, opening the same color throughout, with distinct purple spotting on lower portion of dorsal lobes; petaloids also (72C) but without distinct spotting. Calyx lobes 0.4" (10mm) long, light yellowish green. Lvs 1.8" (45mm) x 1" (25mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins, glossy and moderate olive green (147A) above; with dense white hairs on both surfaces at first, but with only sparse, off-white hairs below at maturity. Shrub 2.5' (0.75m) tall x 2' (0.6m) wide in 5 years, open habit. Mid-late May.

(r) 'Lavender Haze': Elepidote rhododendron: R. yakushimanum , Exbury form (s) X 'Purple Splendour'. H (c1972), G (c 1977), N (c 1984), and REG (2003): Everett G. Hall, Eugene, OR; I (c1988): Hanke Rhododendron Nursery, Corvallis, OR. Fls 12-14/loose ball truss, openly funnel-shaped, 2" (50mm) long x 2" (50mm) wide, with 5 wavy-edged lobes; deep purplish pink (66C) in bud, opening inside light purple (75B) at margins which age to very light purple (75C), shading to very pale purple (75D) in center; opening outside light reddish purple (74C), the lobes paling to light purple (75B) and blending to light purple (75D) at base; deep red (185A) speckles lightly scattered on dorsal lobe. Truss 5" (125mm) high x 6" (150mm) wide. Lvs 6" x 1.5" (150 x 40mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, rounded base, downcurved margins; semi-glossy and moderate olive green (147A) above, hairless. Shrub 2.5' (0.75m) high x 3' (0.9m) wide in 10 years, dense habit. Plant hardy to at least -10°F (-23°C); buds, 5°F (-15°C). Midseason. (Synonym: 'Purple Haze')

(r) 'Magenta Sky': Elepidote rhododendron: [( R. yakushimanum 'Koichiro Wada' x 'Burgundy') x 'Purple Splendour'] (s) X 'Smokey'. H (1985) and G (1991): G.H. Kesterson, Freeland, WA; N (2003): Bernard & Karol Nelson, Sedro-Woolley, WA; REG (2003): Nelson's Nursery, Sedro-Woolley, WA. Fls 16/ball truss, broadly funnel- shaped, 2" (50mm) long x 3.5" (90mm) wide, with 5 wavy-edged lobes; deep purplish red (61A) in bud, opening inside vivid reddish purple (74B) with a dark red (59A) dorsal blotch; outside strong purplish red (72A). Truss 6" (150mm) high x 6" (150mm) wide. Lvs held 2-3 years, 6" x 2.5" (150 x 65mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins; dull and dark yellowish green (139A) above. Shrub 3.5' (1.1m) high x 4' (1.2m) wide in 16 years. Plant hardy to at least 0°F (-18°C); buds, 5°F (-15°C). Late May.

(r) 'Purple Haze': Elepidote rhododendron: synonym of 'Lavender Haze'

(a) 'September Surprise': Deciduous azalea: R. arborescens (s) X R. prunifolium . H (c 1978): Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA; G (c 1985-88 ), N, a n d REG (2003): Richard Cavender, Sherwood, OR; to be I: Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. Fls 6-8/flat truss, tubular funnel-shaped, 1.5" (40mm) long x 1.8" (45mm) wide, 5 flat-edged lobes; buds vivid reddish orange (41A) with light yellow (21D) ribs and tube, opening inside vivid reddish orange (42A) fading to vivid reddish orange (30B) in the throat; outside corolla edged vivid reddish orange (41A), with tube and ribs light yellow (21D); unmarked. Calyx lobes 0.25" (6mm) long, vivid yellow green (154A). Truss 2" high x 4" wide (50 x 100mm). Lvs 1.5"-3" x 0.5"-1" (40-75 x 13-25mm), elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, wavy margins; dull and moderate yellow green (146C) above, hairless. Shrub 7' (2.1m) high x 4' (1.2m) wide in 24 years; open, layered habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 5°F (-15°C). Late August-mid October, flowering period highly variable depending on weather.

(r) 'Sun Haven': Elepidote rhododendron: 'Nancy Evans' (s) X ('Odee Wright' x 'Crest'). H (1986) and G (1991): G.H. Kesterson, Freeland, WA; N (2003): Bernard & Karol Nelson, Sedro-Woolley, WA; REG (2003): Nelson's Nursery, Sedro-Woolley, WA. Fls 12/lax truss, openly funnel-shaped, 2.2" (55mm) long x 3.5" (90mm) wide, with 5 wavy-edged lobes; brilliant greenish yellow (1B) in bud, opening inside light greenish yellow (1C), outside brilliant greenish yellow (1A); unmarked. Truss 2.5" (65mm) high x 6" (150mm) wide. Lvs held 2 years, 4" x 1.5" (100 x 40mm), obovate, obtuse apex, rounded base, flat margins; semi-glossy and moderate olive green (137A) above. Shrub 3' (0.9m) high x 3' (0.9m) wide in 10 years, dense habit. Plant hardy to at least 0°F (-18°C); buds, 5°F (-15°C). Early May.

(a) 'Susan Lynn': Evergreen azalea. 'Christina' (Vuykiana)(s) X Code CB-10*. H (1993), G (1996), N (2003), and REG (2003): William L. Clagett, Derwood, MD; I (2003): White's Nursery, Germantown, MD. Fls 2-3/truss, broadly funnel-shaped, 1.5" (40mm) x 2.8" (70mm) wide, 12-13 wavy-edged lobes; strong reddish orange (42B) in bud, opening strong red (39A) inside and out. Calyx lobes 0.4" (10mm) long, pale green, noticeably pubescent. Lvs 1" (25mm) x 0.5" (13mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins, glossy and moderate olive green (146A) above, with sparse white hairs. Shrub 1.5' (0.45m) tall x 2.5' (0.75m) wide in 9 years, intermediate habit. Mid-late May.

(r) 'Violet Ice': Elepidote rhododendron: ['Yaku Sunrise' x ('C.I.S.' x 'Jingle Bells')] (s) X 'Blue Rhapsody' H (1985) and G (1991): G.H. Kesterson, Freeland, WA; N (2003): Bernard & Karol Nelson, Sedro-Woolley, WA; REG (2003): Nelson's Nursery, Sedro-Woolley, WA. Fls 12-15/ ball truss, broadly funnel-shaped, 2" (50mm) long x 3.8" (95mm) wide, with 6 wavy-edged lobes; strong purplish red (72A) in bud, opening inside strong reddish purple (70B) with a strong red (53C) dorsal blotch and dark red (59A) spotting; outside strong reddish purple (72B), edged light purple (84B). Truss 5" (125mm) high x 5" (125mm) wide. Lvs held 2 years, 4" x 1.8" (100 x 45mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins; dull and moderate olive green (147A) above. Shrub 4' (1.2m) high x 3.5' (1.1m) wide in 10 years, dense and upright habit. Plant hardy to at least 0°F (-18°C); buds, 5°F (-15°C). Mid May.

* The following unregistered name appears as a parent in the above descriptions:

Code CB-10: Unnamed azalea, semi- evergreen, semi-double, pink and white fls, parentage unknown.

Additions and Corrections:

'Lemon Dream': (published in Journal ARS, Vol. 53, No 4 Fall 1999 ); Parentage should read: 'Creamy Chiffon' (s) X R. yakushimanum , Exbury form.