(Hardijzer Hybrid Rhododendron)

A group of hybrids between azalea cultivars and the small-leaved rhododendron R. racemosum, these "azaleodendrons" were developed by W. H. Hardijzer of Boskoop, Holland, in the 1950s and 1960s. These vigorous compact evergreen shrubs bear abundant clusters of small funnel-shaped blooms in early to mid-spring. The dense mounded plants have small, dark green leaves, which sometimes take on a reddish tinge.

Like most rhododendrons, Hardijzer Hybrids typically favor cool winters,...

(Harris Hybrid Azalea)

The Harris Hybrids are a group of evergreen azaleas introduced by James Harris of Lawrenceville, Georgia, in the 1970s and 1980s. Most bear large, colorful flowers in mid- to late spring on compact or cascading branches. Like most evergreen azaleas, Harris Hybrids prefer partial shade and thrive in well drained, humus-rich, acid soil. They work well in many garden settings including woodland plantings, mixed borders, and containers.

(Hershey Hybrid Azalea)

The Hershey Hybrids are compact, evergreen azaleas deriving from the Kurume azaleas and hybridized by Hershey Azalea Farm of Gap, Pennsylvania. They bear red, orange, pink, purple, or yellow flowers in early to mid-spring on dense, mounded branches. The leaves are small and glossy. Partial shade and organic, moist, acid soil are necessary. Hershey Hybrids work well in foundation plantings, mixed borders, and containers.

(Hines Hybrid Azaleas)

Introduced by Hines Nursery of Irvine, California, these tender evergreen azaleas result from crosses among Belgian Indica Hybrids and other hybrid azaleas. They were selected for their compact rounded habit and their profusion of large funnel-shaped flowers from later winter into early spring. The clustered single, semi-double, or double flowers are sometimes fragrant. Flower colors include pink, purple, and rose. The small hairy lance-shaped leaves are glossy-green. Although developed partly for...

(Hobbie Hybrid Rhododendron)

Starting in 1939, Dietrich Hobbie of Linswege, Germany, developed and introduced a diversity of rhododendron hybrids involving more than 600 crosses. They bear showy clusters of wide-flaring funnel-shaped flowers in spring. The red, orange, pink, purple, lavender, or white flowers often have a contrasting blotch on their upper lobes. Leaf and plant size vary from small to large, although most Hobbie Hybrids are dense and compact. Among the best-known of these hybrids are the dwarf 'Scarlet Wonder'...

(Indian Hybrid Azalea)

Hybrids that have the East Asian species Rhododendron simsii, Rhododendron indicum, and Rhododendron murconatum in their ancestry, these evergreen azaleas were first developed in the nineteenth century for greenhouse forcing, but they also perform well in the landscape in areas where winters are moderate.

These shrubs are grown for their large long-lasting early- to mid-spring flowers on rounded compact plants. The unscented, funnel-shaped, ruffled blooms are borne...

(Kiusianum Hybrid Azalea)

Kiusianum Hybrid Rhododendron parentage traces back many centuries to southern Japan where it was found growing in open woodlands and high altitude hillsides, specifically on the Island of Kyushu. It is best described as a dwarf evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub with a dense spreading habit. Flowers are red, white, purple and typically pink. Kiusianum prefers partial sun to shade and soil rich with organic matter. Plant in traditional Japanese gardens, rock gardens or in a Rhododendron collection....

(Koster & Sons Hybrid Rhododendron)

M. Koster & Sons of Boskoop, Holland, developed a number of rhododendron hybrids in the early twentieth century that are still widely planted today. Their wide-flaring funnel-shaped flowers are borne in large rounded trusses in spring. The red, pink, purple, or white blooms often have a contrasting blotch on their upper lobes. The upright rounded plants have large leathery leaves that are often glossy dark green. Among the best-known of these hybrids are the two red-flowered cultivars 'America' and...

(Kurume Hybrid Azalea)

Compact, evergreen azaleas offering an abundance of brightly colored spring blooms, the Kurume Hybrids result from some 300 years of hybridizing in Japan. Their ancestry likely includes Rhododendron kaempferi, R. kiusianum, and other Japanese species and hybrids. This group includes hundreds of cultivars, only a fraction of which are commonly available. They were introduced to the West in 1920 by renowned plantsman E.H. Wilson.

These popular evergreen shrubs are...

(Larson Hybrid Rhododendron, Rhododendron)

H. L. Larson of Tacoma, Washington, developed numerous rhododendron hybrids that are well adapted to the coastal Northwest United States as well as to other areas with relatively mild summers and winters. Most are compact, and many have the beautiful R. degronianum var. yakushimanum in their ancestry. They bear wide-flaring funnel-shaped flowers in large rounded trusses in spring. The red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, or white blooms often have a contrasting blotch on...