‘Dr. Ajit Thakur’ [Stewart]
‘Dr. Ajit Thakur’ [Stewart] Photo © Carolyn Beck |
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| Cultivar: | Group: | Color: | Blooms: | Type: | Reg Ref: |
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| ‘Dr. Ajit Thakur’ | Stewart | Midseason | Evergreen | ||
| Height: | Width: | Hardy: | Other Name(s): | Seed Parent: | Pollen Parent: |
| 1 1/2' | Zone 7, at least | ‘Desiree’ (Shamarello) | ‘Painted Tips’ (Back Acres) | ||
| 1 ½’ tall x 2’ wide, dense. Flowers Strong Reddish-Purple (NN74C & D) with Strong Reddish-Purple (NN78B) sectors, stripes, and lines, and irregular white margins. Blotch is prominent Deep Purplish-Red (71A). Single, some with petaloid stamens, funnel-shaped, with rounded, overlapping lobes and smooth edges, 2 ¾” wide x 2” long, 1-3 per cluster. Blooms midseason (mid May in Oak Hill, VA). Calyx Strong Yellow-Green (144B), 3/16” long. Foliage semiglossy moderate olive-green (137A). Leaf shape: elliptic, cuneate base, cuneate tip, flat edges, downcurved (base to tip), up to 1 ½” long x ¾” wide. Zone 7, at least. Selection number: RBS 148. Breeder code: #4-1996-2. ‘Desiree’ (Shamarello) x ‘Painted Tips’ (Back Acres). Named for Ajit Thakur to acknowledge the wealth of information he has collected over the years and shared in many ways. Ajit has a particular interest in Satsuki. Many trips to Japan have enhanced his knowledge of this azalea group. He has written many articles for The Azlaean and made presentations on this subject. | |||||