Historical Significance of Rhododendron Development in Louisiana

Breeding, development, introduction and promotion of Rhododendrons in Louisiana has been significant since the 1970s. Accomplishments have come from university horticulturists and nursery industry members. Larry Brown, long time ornamental horticulture research at the LSU AgCenter's Hammond Research Station, Hammond, LA, conducted azalea breeding that resulted in the release of 'Southern Summer Rose'. Other selections from his program were not released but were considered for release as 'Southern Summer Sun' and 'Flo's Favorite'. Horticulture breeder Dick Stadtheer came to the LSU AgCenter's Department of Horticulture from North Carolina State University (NC State) where he had begun a program on the development of summer and fall flowering azalea cultivars. The plants released from this effort (some from NC State and some from LSU) were named the CARLA hybrids and included 'Adelaide Pope', 'Autumn Sun', 'Carror', 'Cochran Lavender', 'Elaine', 'Emily', 'Fred D. Cochran', 'Ione Burden', 'Jan Cochran', 'Jane Spalding', 'Parlarge', 'Pink Camellia', 'Pink Cloud', 'Rachel', 'Steele Burden', 'Sunglow', and 'Wolfpack Red'. Robert E. "Buddy" Lee, Transcend Nursery, Independence, LA, has released many azaleas from years of development work beginning in the 1970s. Some of the Southern Indica types have included 'North Lake Beauty'. He also is known for the development of the Encore azalea group—currently 29 cultivars being marketed by Plant Development Services, Loxley, AL. Rhodendron breeding has been conducted by John Thornton, Franklinton, LA, since the 1970s. His initial releases were 'Charles Loomis' and 'Jim Lynch'. Newer releases are the Southgate series: 'Southgate Divine', 'Southgate Brandi', 'Southgate Breezy', 'Southgate Radiance', and 'Southgate Grace'. These have a genetic base of Rhodendron hyperythrum. Richard Odom, Country Pines Nursery, Forest Hill, LA, has released crimson foliaged azaleas 'Crimson Majesty', 'Crimson Queen', and 'Crimson Princess'. All are vegetative sports from 'Red Formosa'. Margie Jenkins, Jenkins Farm and Nursery, Amite, LA, has been an active promoter of the Robin Hill azaleas, with approximately 15 cultivars in this group being grown at wholesale nurseries in the state. She has recently released a vegetative sport of the popular 'Watchet' Robin Hill azalea, 'Freddy'.