JARS v62n4 - American Rhododendron Society Plant Registry

American Rhododendron Society Plant Registry

Introduction: The following rhododendron and azalea names were approved and added to the International Rhododendron Register prior to August 15, 2008 by the Royal Horticultural Society, International Cultivar Registration Authority for the genus Rhododendron . The North American Registrar assisted the RHS by providing data for plants originating in North America.

References: Names conform to the rules and recommendations of the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants - 7th Edition (2004). 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).

Format: Parentage lists the seed parent first, followed by an "(s)" if the direction of the cross is known; this is followed by an upper case "X" and then the name of the pollen parent. 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 dimensions are reported in 5mm (0.2") increments for dimensions greater than 25mm (1").

(r) 'Catherine's Lemon Meringue': Elepidote rhododendron: 'Lemonade' (s) X 'Lem's Cameo'. H (1990), G (1995), N (2008), and REG (2008): Catherine Weeks, Eureka, CA; I (2008): Westgate Gardens Nursery, Eureka, CA. Fls 12-13/dome truss, broadly funnel-shaped, 2.2" (55mm) long x 4.5" (115mm) wide, with 6 wavy-edged lobes. Color light greenish yellow (1C) in bud, opening the same color throughout, with red speckling on three dorsal lobes. Calyx length varies from negligible to as long as 0.8" (20mm); color light greenish yellow (1C). Lvs held 2 years, 7" x 3" (175 x 75mm), obovate, broadly acute apex, oblique base, flat margins; semi-glossy and deep yellowish green (141B) above; hairless. Shrub 2.7' (0.8m) high x 3.7' (1.1m) wide in 10 years; intermediate habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 19°F (-7°C). Mid April to mid May.

(r) 'Cherry Surprise': Elepidote rhododendron: 'Exbury Calstocker' (s) X 'Rubicon'. H (1998), G, N (2008), and REG (2008): Catherine Weeks, Eureka, CA; I (2008): Westgate Gardens Nursery, Eureka, CA. Fls 20/dome to ball truss, funnel-campanulate, 2.5" (65mm) long x 3" (75mm) wide, with 5 wavy-edged lobes. Color strong purplish red (54A) in bud, opening strong purplish red (54A) throughout, and aging to strong red (53B); three dorsal lobes with a moderately spotted, strong purplish red (54A) blotch; center very dark red. Truss 6" (150mm) high x 8.2" (205mm) wide. Lvs 7.2" x 2" (180 x 50mm), elliptic, acuminate apex, cuneate base, down-curved margins; semi-glossy and dark bluish green (133A) above; hairless. Shrub 3' (0.9m) high x 5' (1.5m) wide in 9 years; intermediate habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 19°F (-7°C). Early-mid March.

(r) 'Cosmic Drops': Elepidote rhododendron: 'Nancy Evans' (s) X 'Lem's Cameo'. H (1995), G (2003), N (2008), and REG (2008): Catherine Weeks, Eureka, CA; I (2008): Westgate Gardens Nursery, Eureka, CA. Fls 18/dome truss, funnel-shaped, 2.5" (65mm) long x 3.5" (90mm) wide, with 6-8 wavy-edged lobes. Color of buds brilliant yellow (10A) at base, shading to strong yellowish pink (37A) at apex; opening inside brilliant yellow (10A) at base and strong yellowish pink (37A) at margins with the intermediate area very pale pink, close to white; outside color similar to inside; prominent blotch of discrete strong red (46A) spots arranged in a pattern of vertical lines on three dorsal lobes. Lvs held 2 years, 6" x 2" (150 x 50mm), obovate, broadly acute apex, oblique base, flat margins; semi-glossy and moderate olive green (137A) above; hairless. Shrub 3' (0.9m) high x 2.8' (0.8m) wide in c 10 years; dense habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 19°F (-7°C). Mid April to mid May.

(r) 'Cowles Gold': Elepidote rhododendron: parentage unknown. H (pre 1996): Jack Cowles, Stow, MA; G: Bruce Feller, Old Field, NY; N (2008) and REG (2008): Bruce Feller, Old Field, NY. Fls 15/dome truss, openly funnel-shaped, 2.5" (65mm) long x 4.5" (115mm) wide, with 7 wavy-edged lobes. Color strong red (46A) in bud, opening inside light yellow (11B) with a prominent blotch of dark red (59A) spots concentrated in the base, superimposed by a rather open dorsal flare of the same color spots; outside, light yellow (11B). Truss 5" (125mm) high x 6" (150mm) wide. Lvs held 2 years, 4.5" x 1.8" (115 x 45mm), oblong, obtuse apex, rounded base, wavy margins; semi-glossy and moderate olive green (147A) above; hairless. Shrub 4' (1.2m) high x 4' (1.2m) wide in 10 years; intermediate habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 0°F (-18°C). Early May.

(r) 'Dad's Bee': Elepidote rhododendron: 'Rosevallon' (s) X 'Grenadier'. H (1995) and G (2000): Warren E. Berg, Port Ludlow, WA; N (2008) and REG (2008): Chris Berg, Silverdale, WA; I (date pending): Dover Nursery, Sandy, OR. Fls c 15/dome truss, funnel-campanulate, 1.5" (40mm) long x 1.5" (40mm) wide, with 5 wavy-edged lobes. Color strong red (46A) in bud, with some black spotting at tips, opening the same color (46A) throughout, with a black throat, some black spotting, and black nectary pouches. Truss 3" (75mm) high x 5" (125mm) wide. Lvs of heavy texture, held 3 years, 3" x 1.5" (75 x 40mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, rounded base, down-curved margins; glossy and dark green above; deep reddish purple below. Lvs tend to grow vertically, thus displaying the dark reddish purple undersides. Shrub 3' (0.9m) high x 3' (0.9m) wide in 10 years; open habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 0°F (-18°C). Early March.

(r) 'Double Besse': Elepidote rhododendron: 'Besse Howells', treated with colchicine and confirmed to be tetraploid. Treated, G (2005), I (2005), REG (2008): Briggs Nursery, Porter, WA; N (2008): Amelia Emery of Briggs Nursery. Fls 11-12/ball truss, openly funnel-shaped, hose-in-hose (double corolla), 1.5" (40mm) long x 2.5" (65mm) wide, with 4-5 frilly-edged lobes. Color dark red (187B) in bud, opening inside deep red (60A) with a dark red (187A) blotch on the dorsal lobe; outside, deep purplish red (187D). Truss 4" (100mm) high x 4.5" (115mm) wide. Lvs held 3 years, 3.5"-4.5" x 1.25"-1.5" (90-115 x 30-40mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins; semi-glossy and moderate olive green (146A) above; hairless. Shrub 3' (0.9m) high x 3' (0.9m) wide in 10 years; intermediate habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least -20°F (-29°C). Early May.

(a) 'Double Parfait': Deciduous azalea: R. occidentale (SM 28-3) (s) X R. occidentale 'Crescent City Double' (SM 28-2). H 1972): Frank Mossman, Vancouver, WA; G (1977) and REG (2008): Richard Cavender, Sherwood, OR; N (2007): Richard and Karen Cavender, Sherwood, OR and Dan Meyer, Briggs Nursery; I (2009): Briggs Nursery, Porter, WA. Fls single, semi-double and double with 1-5 petaloid stamens; 10-15/flat truss, tubular funnel-shaped; 1.5" (40mm) long x 2"-2.2" (50-55mm) wide, with 5-10 wavy-edged lobes, strongly scented. Petalods may be extremely deformed, as well as very narrow to almost the size and shape of a normal lobe. Color of buds variable, deep purplish pink (55A) or strong orange yellow (17A) with deep purplish pink (55A) on ribs; opening inside predominately white with dorsal lobes strong orange yellow (17A), other lobes with varying amounts of light purplish pink (55C); petaloids white, some with strong orange yellow (17A); outside white, base of tube deep purplish pink (55A); dorsal petal white with some pale yellow and pink on ribs; other petals variable with deep purplish pink (55A) on ribs and some (55A) on all or portions of the lobes. Truss 3.5" (90mm) high x 4.5" (115mm) wide. Lvs held 1 year; 2"-2.2" x 0.8"-1" (50-55mm x 20-25mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins; glossy and moderate olive green (146A) above; hairless. Shrub 7' (2.1m) high x 3' (0.9m) wide in 30 years; intermediate habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 5°F (-15°C). Mid May to mid June; usually 5-6 fls are open at any one time over a period of 7 to 15 days. All flower forms may be found in the same truss, but may not appear on the same branch from year to year. Petaloids may not appear until after the plant has flowered for several years.

(r) 'Emma and May': Elepidote rhododendron: selection from R. fortunei . S (2004), G (2007), N (2007), I (2008), and REG (2008): Briggs Nursery, Porter, WA. Fls 4-12/dome truss, broadly funnel-shaped, 2.2" (55mm) long x 3.5" (90mm) wide, with 6-8 wavy-edged lobes, scented. Color strong purplish pink (63B) in bud, opening inside very pale purple (75D) on lobes, fading to white; outside similar, with strong purplish pink (73B) veining; unmarked. Truss 5" (125mm) high x 6" (150mm) wide. Lvs held 2-3 years, 4"-6" x 2" (100-150 x 50mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, rounded base, flat margins; dull and moderate olive green (137A) above; hairless. Shrub 4' (1.2m) high x 3' (0.9m) wide in 7 years; open habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least -10°F (-23°C). Mid May.

(r) 'Fragrant Sensation': Elepidote rhododendron: 'Horizon Monarch' (s) X 'Gargantua'. H (1999): Jim Barlup, Bellevue, WA; G (2004), N, and REG (2008): Chuck Blankenship, Arlington, WA; I (2010): Chuck's Nursery and Hammond's Acres of Rhodys, both Arlington, WA. Fls 16/dome truss, saucer-shaped, 2.8" (70mm) long x 4" (100mm) wide, with 7 frilly-edged lobes; strongly scented. Color of buds moderate yellow (160A), becoming light yellow (160B), with strong pink (50C) on outer edges; opening inside brilliant yellow (10A) in the throat, lobes pale yellow pink (27D), edged pale yellowish pink (36D); outside light yellow (10B) from base to halfway up the lobes, with upper half of lobes light yellowish pink (36C); small, brush-like markings of vivid reddish orange (34B) at base of dorsal lobe. Calyx lobes 0.2"-0.6" (5-15mm) long, brilliant yellow green (154B), edged vivid reddish orange (34B). Truss 6" (150mm) high x 8" (200mm) wide. Lvs held 2 years, 5"-7" x 1.5"-2.5" (125-175 x 40-65mm), elliptic, obtuse apex, rounded base, flat margins; dull and moderate olive green (147A) above; hairless. Shrub 4.5' (1.4m) high x 6' (1.8m) wide in 9 years; intermediate habit; flower substance very heavy and thick; stigma faciated on about 30% of flowers. Plant hardy to at least 15°F (-9°C); buds, 19°F (-7°C). Mid May.

(r) 'Jean E. Potente': Elepidote rhododendron: 'Anne Hardgrove' (s) X R. yakushimanum , Exbury form. H (1971), G (1980): Richard Murcott, East Norwich, NY; N (2008), and REG (2008): Ralph J. Potente, Muttontown, NY. Fls 15/conical truss, openly funnel-shaped, 1.5" (40mm) long x 1.5" (40mm) wide, with 6 wavy-edged lobes. Color vivid reddish orange (42A) in bud, opening inside with vivid reddish orange (43A) throat, shading to deep pink (48C) lobes; outside deep pink (48C); unmarked. Truss 6.5" (165mm) high x 5.5" (140mm) wide. Lvs 5.5" x 1.5" (140 x 40mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, rounded base, flat margins; semi-glossy and brilliant green (128A) above; hairless. Shrub 5' (1.5m) high x 5' (1.5m) wide in 9 years; open habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 0°F (-18°C). Midseason.

(a) 'Maggie Brown': Deciduous azalea: 'Cecile' (s) X R. occidentale 'Leonard Frisbie'. H, G, and N (2008): Frank Mossman, Vancouver, WA; REG (2008): Richard Cavender, Sherwood, OR; I (2009): Briggs Nursery, Porter, WA. Fls single and semi-double to double; 10-15/flat truss, tubular funnel-shaped; 1.8" (45mm) long x 2"- 2.3" (50-55mm) wide, 5-10 wavy-edged lobes; strongly scented. Semi-double to double flowers have 1 to 5 petaloid stamens that vary from almost normal petals to extremely deformed and narrow petals; all flower forms may be found in the same truss; however, the over-all effect is that of double flowers. Color deep pink (52B) in bud, opening inside variable, 1-3 dorsal petals are strong orange yellow (17A), others are light pink to deep pink (52C); some petaloids are strong orange yellow (17A), others are light to dark pink; with age the yellow fades and is present only at the base and lower half of the dorsal petal; outside flower: tube is deep pink (52C ), the lobes variable, light to deep pink on ribs and all or almost all of the petals; as much as half of a few petals are very pale pink to almost white. Truss 3.5" (90mm) high x 4.5" (115mm) wide. Lvs held 1 year; 1.2"-2.5" x 0.9"-1.2" (30-65mm x c20-30mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins; semi-glossy and moderate olive green (147A) above; hairless. Shrub 3' (0.9m) high x 3' (0.9m) wide in 10 years; intermediate habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 5°F (-15°C). Mid May to mid June; usually 4-5 fls are open at any one time over a period of 7 to 10 days.

(r) 'Mary's Choice': Elepidote rhododendron: R. fortunei (s) X 'Caractacus'. Seed purchased (1974) from F.W. Schumacher, Sandwich, MA; G (1978): H. Edward Reiley, Woodsboro, MD; N (2006) and REG (2008): Mary L. Reiley, Woodsboro, MD. Fls 10/dome truss, broadly funnel-shaped, 2" (50mm) long x 3" (75mm) wide, with 5 wavy-edged lobes; strongly scented. Color strong purplish red (63B) in bud, opening inside moderate purplish red (65A) at margins, shading to light purplish pink (65B) and then to very pale purple (69C) in center, with strong purplish red (63B) stripes in lobes; outside moderate purplish red (65A). Calyx lobes c 0.1" (3mm) long, brilliant yellow green (154B). Truss 4.2" (105mm) high x 5" (125mm) wide. Lvs held 2 years, 4.2"-4.5" x 2" (105-115 x 50mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, rounded base, flat margins; semi-glossy and moderate olive green (137A) above; hairless. Shrub 8' (2.4m) high x 14' (4.2m) wide in 30 years; intermediate habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least -15°F (-26°C). Early May.

(r) 'Mendocino Magic': Elepidote rhododendron: parentage unknown. H (1995): Dr Leonard Charvet, Fort Bragg, CA; G (2000): N (2007), I (2010), and REG (2008): Descanso Nurseries, Fort Bragg, CA. Fls 16/dome truss, openly funnel-shaped, 2.2" (55mm) long x 3" (75mm) wide, with 5 wavy-edged lobes. Color deep pink (52B) in bud, opening inside pale purplish pink (55D) shading to strong purplish pink (55B) at margins, and with deep red (53A) and moderate red (47A) spotting in dorsal throat; outside, strong purplish pink (55B). Truss 3.8" (95mm) high x 5" (125mm) wide. Lvs held 3 years, 3.2" x 2" (80 x 50mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, rounded base, down-curved margins; glossy and moderate olive green (137C) above; hairless. Shrub 1.5' (0.45m) high x 2' (0.6m) wide in 6 years; dense habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 26°F (-3°C). Mid April.

(r) 'Polynesian Girl': Elepidote rhododendron: 'Sweet Mystery' *(s) X 'Polynesian Sunset'. H (1995), G (2001), N (2008), and REG (2008): Catherine Weeks, Eureka, CA; I (2008): Westgate Gardens Nursery, Eureka, CA. Fls 9-10/dome truss, funnel-campanulate, 2" (50mm) long x 2.2" (55mm) wide, with 5 wavy-edged lobes. Color strong purplish red (58B) in bud, opening inside strong purplish red (63B) at margins, shading paler to brilliant yellow (13B) at center; outside similar; a few vivid yellow (12A) dorsal spots. Lvs held 1 year, 4.5" x 1.2" (115 x 30mm), elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins; dull and moderate olive green (137A) above; hairless. Shrub 1.5' (0.45m) high x 1.7' (0.5m) wide in 10 years; intermediate habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 19°F (-7°C). Late May.

(a) 'Tatum's Deep Pink': Deciduous azalea: Selection from R. occidentale . Wild-collected (1974) on Stagecoach Hill Azalea Reserve, south of Orick, CA, and N (1974): Tom Tatum, Portland, OR; REG (2008): Richard Cavender, Sherwood, OR. Fls 10-15/flat truss, tubular funnel-shaped; 2"-2.5" (50-65mm) long x 2.2"-3" (55-75mm) wide, 5 wavy-edged lobes; strongly scented. Color deep pink (52B) in bud, opening inside highly variable, depending upon exposure to sun; in full sun, white with some light purplish pink (55C) on just the midrib to entire inside of 1 to 5 petals; in shade, light purplish pink (55C) is less intense and may appear only on the midrib or on 1-2 petals; opening outside highly variable, from mostly white with deep purplish pink (55A) on all midribs to deep purplish pink (55A) covering all or a portion of 1 to 5 petals. Markings highly variable blotch/spots: in full sun, dorsal petal is light purplish pink (55C) with spots extending to lobe margins; in shade, dorsal petal has much less light purplish pink (55C), and strong orange yellow (17A) on the lower half of the petal. Calyx lobes c 0.1" (3-4mm) long, vivid reddish orange (42A); pedicel is the same color. Truss 3.5" (90mm) high x 4.5" (115mm) wide. Lvs held 1 year; in sun, 3" x 1" (75 x 25mm); in shade, 2" x 0.5" (50 x 15mm). Lvs elliptic, acute apex, cuneate base, flat margins; glossy and moderate olive green (146A) above; hairless. Shrub 7' (2.1m) high x 3' (0.9m) wide in 20 years; intermediate habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 5°F (-15°C). Mid May to mid June; usually 5-6 fls are open at any one time over a period of 7 to 15 days. (Collector's No: TT-74-No. 1. This clone is now extinct in the wild, but cutting-grown plants are in several gardens.)

(r) 'Tropical Sunset': Elepidote rhododendron: 'Apricot Nectar' (s) X 'Lem's Cameo'. H (1995), G (2002), N (2003), and REG (2008): Catherine Weeks, Eureka, CA; I (2003): Westgate Gardens Nursery, Eureka, CA. Fls 8-9/dome truss, funnel-shaped to openly funnel-shaped, 2.5" (65mm) long x 4.2" (105mm) wide, with 7 wavy-edged lobes. Color strong purplish red (63A) in bud, opening inside strong purplish red (58B-C) tinged yellow in center; outside similar; blotch of fine, dark red (59A) spots centered around the filaments on three dorsal lobes. Calyx lobes 1" (25mm) long, strong purplish red (63A) with a dark red (59A) blotch. Truss 5" (125mm) high x 6.5" (165mm) wide. Lvs held 2 years, 5"-6" x 2.8" (125-150 x 70mm), elliptic, acuminate apex, cuneate base, wavy and slightly down-curved margins; dull and moderate olive green (147A) above; hairless. Shrub 4.5' (1.4m) high x 4.5' (1.4m) wide in 12 years; intermediate habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least 19°F (-7°C). Late May.

(r) 'William Lewis': Elepidote rhododendron: 'Lem's Tangerine' (s) X 'Frank Galsworthy'. H (1999): E.F. Newcomb, Snohomish, WA; G (2004), N, and REG (2008): Chuck Blankenship, Arlington, WA; I (2010): Chuck's Nursery and Hammond's Acres of Rhodys, both Arlington, WA. Fls 20/ball to conical truss, openly funnel-shaped, 2.2" (55mm) long x 2.8" (70mm) wide, with 5 wavy-edged lobes. Color strong red (53B) in bud, opening inside strong red (53D) with the center of each lobe from the throat to nearly the edge pale purplish pink (56D), and with a moderate orange (167B) dorsal flare, speckled strong red (46A); outside strong red (53C). Calyx lobes less than 0.1" (c 1.5mm) long, light yellow green (145C). Truss 4.8" (120mm) high x 6" (150mm) wide. Lvs held 2 years, 3.5"-5.5" x 0.8"-1.5" (90-140 x 20-40mm), elliptic, broadly acute apex, cordate base, flat margins; dull and moderate olive green (147A) above; hairless. Shrub 3.3' (1.0m) high x 5.4' (1.6m) wide in c10 years; dense habit. Plant hardy to at least 5°F (-15°C); buds, 15°F (-9°C). Mid May.

* The following unregistered name appears as a parent in the above descriptions:
'Sweet Mystery': R (pre 1990); Willard Thompson's Nursery, Waldport, OR; parentage: R. yakushimanum (s) X unknown.