Deciduous Azaleas (Rhododendron sp.) AGM by Roundtable FINAL Report 2016

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1 Deciduous Azaleas (Rhododendron sp.) AGM by Roundtable FINAL Report 2016 Author Kirsty Angwin AGM round table coordinator, The Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB

RHS DECIDUOUS AZALEAS AGM by Roundtable The criteria which a plant needs to fulfil in order to receive the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) are: excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions

2 RHS DECIDUOUS AZALEAS AGM by Roundtable The criteria which a plant needs to fulfil in order to receive the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) are: excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions available of good constitution essentially stable in form and colour reasonably resistant to pests and diseases AGM by roundtable discussion is a method of awarding AGM when the genus or plant group in question displays any or all of the following criteria: impractical or impossible to trial not in the trials plan for the next 5 years proposing plant committee does not contain the expertise to recommend in house and has the following attributes: current lack of AGMs relevant to today s gardener outside expertise is identified The Deciduous Azalea forum was created by the RHS Woody plant committee to assess Deciduous Azaleas in early Members of the forum were: Mr David Millais (chair), Mr Ivor Stokes, Mr Vaughan Gallavan, Mr Ken Cox, Mr Stephen Harding, Mr Jim Inskip and the late Mr Malcom Nash. One hundred and twenty one were originally voted on. Mr Nash s votes were taken into consideration on the first round of voting to reach a final shortlist of seventy plants. Present at Meetings: No meetings took place. This round table was conducted entirely by . A short list of plants was circulated to the forum members and returned to the Round table Coordinator. RHS Staff: Kirsty Angwin (AGM Round table Coordinator)

A large flowered Knap Hill azalea bred by Donald Waterer. Height 125-150 cm in 10 years. Best in a fairly sunny position. Outstanding flower truss on an upright bush. Good colour and flower form.

3 The voting forum made the following recommendations at this roundtable assessment. The Forum recommended the Society s Award of Garden Merit to: Rhododendron Chelsea Reach Description: A very attractive shade of cream flowers, which are flushed pink, during mid-late May. A large flowered Knap Hill azalea bred by Donald Waterer. Height cm in 10 years. Best in a fairly sunny position. Outstanding flower truss on an upright bush. Good colour and flower form. Good double. Choice cream flowers. Rhododendron Chelsea Reach Rhododendron Gena Mae Description: Beautiful double yelloworange flowers in a ball shaped truss of Flowers during late May and early June. The flowers are long lasting and always grab attention. Height 120cm-150cm in 10 years. Readily available. Best of its type. Flowers are long lasting. Well formed, an interesting colour combination. Rhododendron Gena Mae

Rhododendron Sunte Nectarine Description: Deep glowing orange flowers with a golden flare. May-June flowering. Good autumn colours. Raised at Sunte House, Haywards Heath.

Rhododendron Sunte Nectarine Rhododendron schlippenbachii Hardiness rating H4/H5 Description: Beautiful pale pink saucer-shaped flowers in April/May, followed by good autumn colour.

4 Rhododendron Sunte Nectarine Description: Deep glowing orange flowers with a golden flare. May-June flowering. Good autumn colours. Raised at Sunte House, Haywards Heath. Height 150cm- 180cm in 10 years. Requires a fairly sunny position. Good form and flower. Strong colour variation as they open. Nice compact plant with red buds. Rhododendron Sunte Nectarine Rhododendron schlippenbachii Hardiness rating H4/H5 Description: Beautiful pale pink saucer-shaped flowers in April/May, followed by good autumn colour. An outstanding deciduous azalea from Korea which needs a sheltered site especially when young. Sometimes it is lightly fragrant. Height cm in 10 years. Millais Nurseries Rhododendron Schlippenbachii A wonderful display of large pink flowers appearing as the new foliage unfolds. Lovely plant a little tender. Very fine, can be vulnerable to spring frosts. Good forms have great colour. Attractive pale spring foliage.

Rhododendron Jock Brydon Description: Striking pinky flowers with a bold speckled reddish orange blotch and wavy ruffled edges. A stunning occidentale hybrid with a good scent in May and June.

Outstanding flower truss on an upright bush.

5 Rhododendron Jock Brydon Description: Striking pinky flowers with a bold speckled reddish orange blotch and wavy ruffled edges. A stunning occidentale hybrid with a good scent in May and June. This is a vigorous as a young plant with arching branches. Height cm in 10 years. Good tone with an eye catching flare in the throat. Good colour and flower form. Stunning choice plant. Outstanding flower truss on an upright bush. Rhododendron Jock Brydon Rhododendron Crosswater Red Description: Stunning deep glowing true red flowers with contrasting stamens, flowering in late May-early June. Good autumn foliage colour. Raised by Ted Millais. Height cm in 10 years. Best in light shade. Probably the best deep red. A good strong red with a later flowering habit. A very good red. Good non-fading deep red. A vigorous good plant. Rhododendron Crosswater Red

Rhododendron Parkfeuer Rhododendron Parkfeuer Description: Vivid orangey red flowers, with contrasting anthers. Flowering late May and early June. A very hardy Hachmann variety from Northern Germany.

Rhododendron Luteum /H7 Description: Absolutely stunning and still one of the most popular highly scented yellow azaleas.

6 Rhododendron Parkfeuer Rhododendron Parkfeuer Description: Vivid orangey red flowers, with contrasting anthers. Flowering late May and early June. A very hardy Hachmann variety from Northern Germany. Height cm in 10 years. Requires a fairly sunny position Good colour. A fabulous colour and strong growth. Rhododendron Luteum /H7 Description: Absolutely stunning and still one of the most popular highly scented yellow azaleas. Flowering in May this deciduous azalea has striking autumn yellow and orange leaf colour. A lovely old species that has naturalised in parts of the UK. Height cm in 10 years. Rhododendron Luteum A good doer, long lasting in bloom with many sequential flowers and a wonderful scent. Good, readily available. Best for scent, flower colour and autumn colour.

Rhododendron Golden Oriole Description: Large golden yellow flowers, with a deep orange blotch on the upper lobe. May flowering. Bred by Waterer Nurseries at Knap Hill c.1939.

calendulaceum being very apparent. Long succession of blooms, good yellow. Good combination of colour in flowers. A tall grower.

7 Rhododendron Golden Oriole Description: Large golden yellow flowers, with a deep orange blotch on the upper lobe. May flowering. Bred by Waterer Nurseries at Knap Hill c A tall and vigorous plan reaching a height of cm in 10 years. Best in a fairly sunny position. Ken Cox Rhododendron Golden Oriole A nice plant with its roots in R. calendulaceum being very apparent. Long succession of blooms, good yellow. Good combination of colour in flowers. A tall grower. The Forum re-confirmed the Society's AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT to: Rhododendron Arneson Gem Description: Spectacular large orange flowers on a compact plant. The flowers are mm across appearing in trusses of A showy plant flowering in May-June with good autumn foliage. Height cm in 10 years. Excellent plant. Good strong colour through all stages from bud to fall. Nice full trusses, held well. Readily available. One of the best orange Azaleas. Compact growth. Best of its type. Rhododendron Arneson Gem

Rhododendron Coccineum Speciosum Description: Beautiful small orange red honeysuckle type flowers. This is a Ghent variety that flowers in May. Height 120-150cm in 10 years.

Rhododendron Gibraltar Description: A stunning plant featuring flame orange flowers with a warm yellow flare and slightly frilled petals in trusses up to 65mm across.

8 Rhododendron Coccineum Speciosum Description: Beautiful small orange red honeysuckle type flowers. This is a Ghent variety that flowers in May. Height cm in 10 years. Rhododendron Coccineum Speciosum Good colour and flower form. Bronze new growth, good flowers, compact bush, good autumn colour. Choice variety with small flowers. Rhododendron Gibraltar Description: A stunning plant featuring flame orange flowers with a warm yellow flare and slightly frilled petals in trusses up to 65mm across. This is a popular deciduous azalea that flowers in May-June. Rhododendron Gibraltar Good plant and readily available. A vivid, eye catching, orange-red, reasonable-sized flower with frilled petals. Good form and colour. Nice frilly flowers.

Rhododendron Golden Eagle Description: A very pretty flower 65-75mm across in a domes truss of 10 to 12 flowers that is a strong reddish orange with orange yellow mid-rib and a prominent vivid orange

Good compact plant. Good flowers and autumn colour. Rhododendron Golden Eagle Rhododendron Klondyke Description: Red orange on bud opening, one of the best bright golden yellow flowers in May- June.

9 Rhododendron Golden Eagle Description: A very pretty flower 65-75mm across in a domes truss of 10 to 12 flowers that is a strong reddish orange with orange yellow mid-rib and a prominent vivid orange blotch. Flowering in May-June with good bright glossy leaves. Good autumn colour adds extra interest. Height 150cm in 10 years. Good colour and flower form. Very good autumn colour. Good compact plant. Good flowers and autumn colour. Rhododendron Golden Eagle Rhododendron Klondyke Description: Red orange on bud opening, one of the best bright golden yellow flowers in May- June. This fine deciduous azalea has coppery red new growth and good autumn colour. Height cm in 10 years. Requires a fairly sunny position. A good strong colour, both in bud and when fully open, nice bronze new growth and reasonably early flowering. Good plant and readily available. Good autumn colour, red new shoots, Mildew resistant. Red buds open to yellow flowers. Outstanding foliage and flowers excellent. Rhododendron Klondyke

Rhododendron Vaseyi Description: Pretty pale pink flowers appear before the leaves in April-May. It has lovely pointed leaves and fabulous autumn foliage.

Rhododendron Vaseyi A good reliable flowerer, with a persistent colour, unlike many species. Good but rather brittle shoots. Outstanding in bud and good colour and flower form.

10 Rhododendron Vaseyi Description: Pretty pale pink flowers appear before the leaves in April-May. It has lovely pointed leaves and fabulous autumn foliage. It is hardy, but it does need extra winter protection when young. It prefers a relatively moist soil. Height cm in 10 years. Rhododendron Vaseyi A good reliable flowerer, with a persistent colour, unlike many species. Good but rather brittle shoots. Outstanding in bud and good colour and flower form. Good flowers and autumn colour. Rhododendron Homebush Description: Extremely attractive double deep carmine pink flowers in a ballshaped pompom-truss 30mm across. Flowering May-June this deciduous azalea has good autumn colour. Height cm in 10 years. Requires a fairly sunny position. Rhododendron Homebush

Rhododendron Jolie Madame Description: Fine pink trumpet shaped scented flowers with an orange yellow blotch up to 70mm across on a truss of 7 to 9 flowers.

A good later flowering hybrid with scented pink flowers of a similar shape to but larger than R. viscosum. Excellent and readily available.

11 Rhododendron Jolie Madame Description: Fine pink trumpet shaped scented flowers with an orange yellow blotch up to 70mm across on a truss of 7 to 9 flowers. Flowering in May June with an upright habit it also has lovely autumn colour. Height cm after 10 years. A good later flowering hybrid with scented pink flowers of a similar shape to but larger than R. viscosum. Excellent and readily available. Rhododendron Jolie Madame Rhododendron Soir de Paris Description: Delicate and scented purplish pink flowers with an orange blotch and darker lines. Flowering in June, the flowers are up to 50mm in trusses of 7 to 9. An excellent plant with pretty small greyish/blue leaves. Height cm in 10 years. It prefers a fairly sunny position. Rhododendron Soir de Paris Forums comments: Later flowering than most, bearing interesting pale pink, funnel shaped flowers with a small orangey blotch and a scent. Interesting scented pink. Good colour and flower form, good scent and hardy. Scented pink with bluish leaves.

Rhododendron Daviesii Description: Stunning pink opening to white flowers with a yellow blotch. Beautifully scented the flowers are up to 65mm across in May-June.

A reliable old variety that brings a good habit, interesting flower colour and a wonderful fragrance. Scented compact grower. Good grower, not too tall and scented.

12 Rhododendron Daviesii Description: Stunning pink opening to white flowers with a yellow blotch. Beautifully scented the flowers are up to 65mm across in May-June. Tough and lower growing than most deciduous azaleas. Good autumn leaf colour adds extra interest. Height cm in 10 years. Rhododendron Daviesii Forums comments: Good, readily available. A reliable old variety that brings a good habit, interesting flower colour and a wonderful fragrance. Scented compact grower. Good grower, not too tall and scented. Rhododendron Irene Koster Hardiness rating: H5/H6 Description: Very pretty rose pink flower with deeper markings and a yellow flare. Single flowers 65mm wide that are strongly scented appear in late June. Good autumn leaf colour adds extra interest. An old favorite and always extremely popular. Height cm in 10 years. Forum Comments: Early, scented, good colour and flower form. Scented white and a dense bush. Flowers more plentiful than others from this source, albeit somewhat smaller. Good scented plant. Choice plant. Rhododendron Irene Koster

Rhododendron Fireball Description: Stunning large deep red flowers with yellow stamens flowering in May- June. This deciduous azalea has fantastic reddish foliage, especially in autumn.

Good colour and flower form. Rhododendron Fireball Rhododendron Satan Description: Wickedly dark red in bud, opening to large deep orange-red flowers in late May and early June.

13 Rhododendron Fireball Description: Stunning large deep red flowers with yellow stamens flowering in May- June. This deciduous azalea has fantastic reddish foliage, especially in autumn. Height cm in 10 years. Good dark foliage, readily available. Another orangeyred but hold itself well. Good orange red. Red young growth. Good autumn colour. Good foliage. Good colour and flower form. Rhododendron Fireball Rhododendron Satan Description: Wickedly dark red in bud, opening to large deep orange-red flowers in late May and early June. A good mildew resistant plant raised by the old Waterer Nurseries at Knaphill and introduced by W C Slocock Ltd. The variety makes a real statement and is a must for any garden. Height cm in 10 years. Rhododendron Satan RHS/ Alison Clarke Good colour and flower form. Good deep, dark red. A good strong colour with large flowers with recurved petals. A good standard red.

Rhododendron arborescens Rhododendron arborescens Description: The Sweet Azalea with large white flowers often tinged pink and sometimes with a yellow blotch.

Best in a fairly sunny position. Under-rated. Really good late scented flowers. There is a delicacy to this species, its whiteness contrasts well with the stamen colour and it is scented! Great scent.

14 Rhododendron arborescens Rhododendron arborescens Description: The Sweet Azalea with large white flowers often tinged pink and sometimes with a yellow blotch. A glorious plant, it is cinnamon scented, flowering in July. The leaves smell of newly mown grass when crushed. Good autumn colour. Height 120cm in 10 years. Growing slowly into a large shrub. Best in a fairly sunny position. Under-rated. Really good late scented flowers. There is a delicacy to this species, its whiteness contrasts well with the stamen colour and it is scented! Great scent. The best white species. Good/excellent scent, not very variable. Good colour and flower form. Later season well scented and hardy. Rhododendron Whitethroat Rhododendron Whitethroat Description: Delightful small pure white double funnelshaped flowers. Flowering in May June this is a lovely neat compact plant with a spreading habit. It performs best in light dappled shade and has attractive silvery light green leaves. Height cm in 10 years. Good autumn colour. This one just leaps out of the bed and demands a close look, never disappoints. Good readily available. Many favorable qualities, good autumn colour. Unusual plant. Compact white with double flowers.

Rhododendron Persil Description: Stunning large pure white flowers with a prominent deep yellow flare in the throat. Nicely scented and flowering in mid-late May. A striking Knaphill azalea.

Rhododendron Persil Rhododendron Silver Slipper Rhododendron Silver Slipper Description: Pink buds open to large white flowers with a prominent yellow orange flare in May June.

15 Rhododendron Persil Description: Stunning large pure white flowers with a prominent deep yellow flare in the throat. Nicely scented and flowering in mid-late May. A striking Knaphill azalea. Height cm in 10 years. Best white. Mildew resistant. Good white. Been around a good while but still one of the best. Good and readily available. Rhododendron Persil Rhododendron Silver Slipper Rhododendron Silver Slipper Description: Pink buds open to large white flowers with a prominent yellow orange flare in May June. A stunning deciduous azalea that is fragrant and has good coppery autumn colour. Height cm in 10 years. Prefers a fairly sunny position. Good readily available. Good colour in bud, fading nicely to white with a golden yellow flare. Good form and colour. Compact growth. Good autumn colour.

16 Rhododendron Narcissiflorum Description: Lovely small pale yellow flowers with a darker center, 30mm across. Sweetly scented double honeysuckle type flowers in May-June, followed by good autumn colour. This is an unusual but highly sought after plant. Height cm in 10 years. Good colour and flower form. Outstanding. Choice double yellow flowers. A really good old plant, eye catching flowers with a scent. Rhododendron Narceiisflorum

17 The Forum DID NOT RECONFIRM the societies AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT to the following, therefore the Forum recommends the award is rescinded from : Rhododendron Canon s Double A bit of a mish-mash without any form or distinction. Rhododendron Hotspur Red There is confusion in the trade between Hotspur Group and Hotspur Red. Not really red, so disappoints customers. Some query as to availability. Rhododendron Bouquet de Flore Small flowered Ghent, nothing outstanding, little availability. Rhododendron Berryrose No improvement on the 1894 clone called Pucella. Prone to mildew. Rhododendron Cecile Mildew resistant but slow growing. There are better plants of this colour. Poor root system. Prone to mildew, better pinks available. Rhododendron Rosata Rhododendron Strawberry Ice Possibly given way to more modern, floriferous varieties. Better pinks available Rhododendron White Lights Mildew, small flowers, little scent, can t see much to admire. There is a pinkish hue behind the white but really it is just another white. Difficult to propagate, weak grower. Rhododendron Golden Sunset Pale yellow, not as good as Oriole. Better yellows available. Source: Horticultural Trials and Relations, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB trials@rhs.org.uk More information about RHS Trials, AGM Round table awards and other colour illustrated reports can be found on the RHS Website:

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