Kehr Hybrids - Azalea Society of America

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descriptions

Image Name Description

‘Anna Kehr’ ‘Anna Kehr’ (ARS 783): Evergreen azalea. ‘Triumph’ (Syn. ‘Triomphe’) x ‘Rosebud’ (Gable). Cross (1961), raised, and introduced (1978) by Dr August E Kehr, Silver Spring MD. Flowers flat saucer shaped, double, 1 3/4″ across x 1 1/4″ long, with about 40 wavy lobes. Red Group 55C (R.H.S. Colour Chart) (Neyron Rose). No stamens. Calyx 1/8″, very light green to colorless. Inflorescence 1-3 flowered. Floriferous. Leaves held 2-3 years, 1 3/4″ x 1 1/8″, broadly elliptic, apiculate, cuneate, glossy, medium deep green, under surface glaucous. Plant broad, branching well, 2 1/2′ tall x 2′ wide in 10 years. Blooms in early May. Hardy to at least 0°F.

‘Bob Hill’ ‘Bob Hill’ (ARS 974): Evergreen azalea. (Descended from the Indian azalea ‘Triumph’ (syn: ‘Triomphe’)). H(pre 1980) and G: August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC; N(1996) and REG(1997): Frieda Hill, Pavo GA. Fls 2/truss, saucer shaped, 1.5″ long x 1″ wide, 5-lobed with wavy margins; deep reddish orange in bud and flower, with darker reddish orange blotch on three dorsal lobes. Calyx 0.4″ long, lime green. Lvs elliptic, flat, cuneate base, acute apex, 1.4″ x 0.6″, dark green. Shrub 1′ tall x 1′ wide in 5 years, dense growth habit. Plant hardy to at least -5°F, buds 0°F. Midseason. (Code: Kehr R-14)

‘Cream Perfection’ ‘Cream Perfection’ (ARS 981): Evergreen azalea. (Parentage unknown). History of plant unknown; REG(1997): August E. Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Fls 4-5/ball truss, openly funnel-shaped, 0.75″ (19mm) long x 1″ (25mm) wide, hose-in-hose with outer corolla irregular, and with 5 flat-edged lobes/whorl; deep cream in bud, opening light yellow shading to darker yellow throat, unmarked; outside light cream. Green calyx lacking. Truss 0.9″ (23mm) high x 1.75″ (45mm) wide. Lvs elliptic, flat, cuneate base, broadly acute apex, 0.5″ (13mm) x 0.25″ (6mm), semi-glossy, light green. Shrub 3′ (0.9m) tall x 2′ (0.6m) wide in 6 years. Plant and buds hardy to at least -5°F (-21°C). Mid April. (Note: Fls and lvs resemble those of kiusianum.) [Ed. note: Augie saw this plant in a local garden, recognized its merit and registered it, and was quite embarrassed when he later discovered this is the Kurume also known as ‘Old Ivory’, ‘Shin Sekai’, ‘Mizu-no-yamabuki’, Wilson #3—and that one can not un-register a plant.]

‘Cream Ruffles’ ‘Cream Ruffles’ (ARS 981): Evergreen azalea. (‘Kinpow’ x ‘Anna Kehr’). H(1988), G(1991), N, and REG (1997): August E. Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Fls 2-3/dome truss, broadly funnel-shaped, hose-in-hose, semi-double or double, 1.75″ (45mm) long x 2.75″ (70mm) wide, with 5 wavy-edged lopbes/whorl and some petaloid stamens; deep cream in bud, opening inside cream at margins with a yellowish green center spotted light greenish yellow, outside cream. Green calyx lacking. Truss 1.75″ (45mm) high x 3.5″ (90mm) wide. Lvs elliptic, flat, cuneate base, broadly acute apex, 1.5″ (40mm) x 0.6″ (15mm), semi-glossy, deep green. Shrub 1.5′ (0.45m) tall x 2′ (0.6m) wide in 8 years, dense habit. Plant and buds hardy to at least -5°F (-21°C). Late May.

‘Great Expectations’ ‘Great Expectations’ (ARS 843): Evergreen azalea. Anytime Tetra (an unregistered colchicine-induced evergreen azalea) x R. nakaharae ‘Mariko’. Cross (1974) raised, introduced (1984) by Dr August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Some distribution under breeders number: 306-1. Buds reddish-orange. Flowers of good substance, funnel-shaped, 3″ x 3″ with 6 wavy lobes + central “petals” (double), Red Group 42C, with dorsal purplish-red blotch. 0-3 stamens. Calyx 3/8″, green. Inflorescence 4″ across x 5″ high, lax, with 2-3 flowers. Free flowering. Leaves 1 – 2″ x 1/2 – 1″, narrowly obovate (few elliptic), mucronate, narrowly cuneate, bullate, deep green, ciliate, upper surface moderately setose and underside with veins quite setose (few between) (all visible with lens), leaves retained well through winter. Plant broad, branching well with decumbent branches. Blooms in mid-May. Hardy to at least -5?F.

‘Harold Epstein’ ‘Harold Epstein’ (ARS 981): Evergreen azalea. (Witches’ broom from ‘White Rosebud’). S(c1987) and N(1994): Philip Waldman, Roslyn NY; I(1994): Roslyn Nursery, Dix Hills NY; REG(1997) August E. Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Fls 2-3/flat truss, broadly funnel-shaped, hose-in-hose, fully double (no stamens), c1.8″ (45mm) x 2″ (50mm) wide, with 409 wavy-edged lobes; white throughout, unmarked. Green calyx lacking. Truss 1.5″ (40mm) high x 3″ (75mm) wide. Lvs elliptic, flat, rounded base, obtuse apex, 0.75″ (19mm) x 0.4″ (10mm), glossy, deep green. Shrub 0.8′ (0.25m) tall x 1′ (0.3m) wide in 5 years, dense growth habit. Plant and buds hardy to at least -5°F (-21°C). Late May. (Note: A. E. Kehr was the originator of ‘White Rosebud’)

‘Janet Flick’ ‘Janet Flick’ (ARS 981): Evergreen azalea. ((‘Triumph’ x ‘Beni-kirishima’) x ‘Marilee’). H(1984), G(1987), N, and REG(1997): August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Fls 2/flat truss, broadly funnel-shaped, fully double (no stamens), c1.5″ (40mm) long x 2″ (50mm) wide, with 10 wavy-edged lobes; strong purplish pink (62A). Calyx c0.1″ (3mm) long, green. Truss 1.25″ (30mm) high x 2.5″ (65mm) wide. Truss 1.25″ (30mm) high x 2.5″ (65mm) wide. Lvs elliptic, rounded base, broadly acute apex, 0.9″ (23mm) x 0.5″ (13mm), with hairs below and on petiole. Shrub 1′-1.5′ (0.3 0.45m) tall x 2′-2.5′ (0.6-0.75m) wide in 5 years, creeping to spreading habit. Plant and buds hardy to at least 0°F ( 18°C). Late May.

‘Kehr’s Moonbeam’ (578-8A X ‘Green Glow’, ‘Kehr’s Unfinished Yellow’); source: Nuccio’s Nursery, Altadena CA

‘King’s Red’ ‘King’s Red’ (ARS 874): Deciduous azalea. Parentage unknown. Cross (c1975) by Edward King, Alexandria VA; raised, named, introduced, and registered by August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Flowers opently to widely funnel-shaped, 2-3/4″ across x 2″ long, 11-14 per truss, 6-lobed, with frilled margins. Vivid red (46B). No calyx. Ball truss, 5″ across x 4″ high. Leaves 3-3/4″ long x 1-5/8″ wide, elliptic, convex, apiculate, rounded, bullate. Plant upright, open habit, 4′ high x 2′ wide in 6 years from cutting. Blooms mid May. Plant and bud hardy to at least -15°F.

‘Mary Lou Kehr’ ‘Mary Lou Kehr’ (ARS 874): Evergreen azalea. Unnamed Gable R. macrosepalum hybrid #2 x ‘Heiwa-no-hikari’ (Hirado, USDA PI 274710). Cross (1963), raised, named, introduced, and registered by August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Flowers openly funnel-shaped, 2-1/2″ across x 2-1/2″ long, double (petals not tightly packed). Light purplish pink (55C); very fragrant. Calyx 3/8″, green. Leaves 2-5/8″ long x 1-1/4″ wide, elliptic, flat, acute, cuneate, hairy. Spreading, open habit, very floriferous, 2-1/2′ high x 3′ wide in 6 years from cutting. Blooms mid May. Plant hardy to at least -10?F; buds, 0?F.

‘Red Rosebud’ ‘Red Rosebud’ (AU RS Spring 91, RHS 91, RHS 92): Evergreen azalea. (‘Triumph’ x ‘Diamond Dot’) x ‘Girard’s Hot Shot’. H (1967): August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC; G (1972): J. Wilson; N & REG (1991): L. Begg; Note: Wilson & Begg are Australians. Fls 2-3/truss, hose-in-hose, funnel-shaped, 45mm (1-7/8″) wide, strong red (46A). Lvs elliptic, 25mm (1″) x 15mm (0.6″). Shrub 0.6m (2′) tall.

‘Memory of Fred Galle’ ‘Memory of Fred Galle’ (ARS 001): Deciduous azalea. (arborescens x prunifolium). Seed of a natural hybrid collected by Fred C. Galle at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain GA; G(1983), S(1997), N(1999), and REG (1999): August E. Kehr, Hendersonville NC; in tissue culture (1998): Shadow Mountain Nursery (S. M. McCulloch). Fls 8-12/lax truss, tubular at first, becoming broadly funnel-shaped, 2″-2.4″ (50-60mm) long x 1.5″ (40mm) wide, 5 flat-edged lobes; yellowish pink in bud, opening apricot with a yellow dorsal flare and a yellow throat, unmarked; filaments and style red, slight to no scent . Truss 1.5″ (40mm) high x 3″-3.5″ (80-100mm) wide. Calyx c0.1″ (3mm) long, light green. Lvs elliptic, cuneate base, acuminate apex, flat, 3.25″-4″ (80-100mm) long; dull, deep green above, hairless. Shrub 7′ (2.1m) tall x 4′ (1.2m) wide in 18 years, open habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least -10°F (-23°C). Mid-August. [Ed. note: The plant pictured may be a sister seedling. I have a vague memory of Augie pointing it out, growing on the stream bank SE of the bridge to his magnolia meadow. While this specimen is very fragrant, it otherwise somewhat matches the above description, it was provided to the ARS 1994 convention by Augie Kehr as ‘Arb cross #1’ or ‘Arb cross #2’ , and is being grown by Glenn O’Sheal in Easley SC.]

‘Terry’ ‘Terry’ (ARS 944): Evergreen azalea. (yedoense var. poukhanense x ‘Banka’). H(1967), G(1970), N, I(1988), and REG(1994): August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Widely funnel-shaped, 5-lobed, wavy-edged fls of heavy substance occur singly and are 3.5″-4″ across x 3.5″-4″ long, near strong purple (77B), with dark purple (79A) spots on upper lobe and portions of adjacent lobes; calyx 0.25″ long, green, covered with fine white hairs. Lvs semi-deciduous, elliptic, flat, broadly acute (apex), cuneate (base), 1.5″ x 0.5″, with discrete white to golden hairs on blade, above and below, heaviest on midvein below. Shrub spreading, moderately floriferous, 3′ high x 3′ wide 10 years from cutting; plant and bud hardy to at least -5°F. Early May.

‘White Rosebud’ ‘White Rosebud’ (ARS 733): Evergreen azalea. ‘Vervaeniana alba’ x ‘Rosebud’ (Gable). Raised (1962) and introduced (1967) by Dr August E Kehr, Silver Spring MD. Flowers white with green throat, 1 3/4″-2″ diameter, double with ? 40 lobes. Buds rose bud form. No calyx on opened flower. 1-4 flowers in lax truss. Leaves elliptic, obtuse, cuneate, 1″ x 1/2″, medium green, glossy, bullate, retained 2-3 years. Plant low, dense, slow-growing, 2’x2′ in 6 years, blooming second week of May. Blooms as young plant. Hardy to at least -10°F.

Image	Name	Description
	‘Anna Kehr’	‘Anna Kehr’ (ARS 783): Evergreen azalea. ‘Triumph’ (Syn. ‘Triomphe’) x ‘Rosebud’ (Gable). Cross (1961), raised, and introduced (1978) by Dr August E Kehr, Silver Spring MD. Flowers flat saucer shaped, double, 1 3/4″ across x 1 1/4″ long, with about 40 wavy lobes. Red Group 55C (R.H.S. Colour Chart) (Neyron Rose). No stamens. Calyx 1/8″, very light green to colorless. Inflorescence 1-3 flowered. Floriferous. Leaves held 2-3 years, 1 3/4″ x 1 1/8″, broadly elliptic, apiculate, cuneate, glossy, medium deep green, under surface glaucous. Plant broad, branching well, 2 1/2′ tall x 2′ wide in 10 years. Blooms in early May. Hardy to at least 0°F.
	‘Bob Hill’	‘Bob Hill’ (ARS 974): Evergreen azalea. (Descended from the Indian azalea ‘Triumph’ (syn: ‘Triomphe’)). H(pre 1980) and G: August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC; N(1996) and REG(1997): Frieda Hill, Pavo GA. Fls 2/truss, saucer shaped, 1.5″ long x 1″ wide, 5-lobed with wavy margins; deep reddish orange in bud and flower, with darker reddish orange blotch on three dorsal lobes. Calyx 0.4″ long, lime green. Lvs elliptic, flat, cuneate base, acute apex, 1.4″ x 0.6″, dark green. Shrub 1′ tall x 1′ wide in 5 years, dense growth habit. Plant hardy to at least -5°F, buds 0°F. Midseason. (Code: Kehr R-14)
	‘Cream Perfection’	‘Cream Perfection’ (ARS 981): Evergreen azalea. (Parentage unknown). History of plant unknown; REG(1997): August E. Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Fls 4-5/ball truss, openly funnel-shaped, 0.75″ (19mm) long x 1″ (25mm) wide, hose-in-hose with outer corolla irregular, and with 5 flat-edged lobes/whorl; deep cream in bud, opening light yellow shading to darker yellow throat, unmarked; outside light cream. Green calyx lacking. Truss 0.9″ (23mm) high x 1.75″ (45mm) wide. Lvs elliptic, flat, cuneate base, broadly acute apex, 0.5″ (13mm) x 0.25″ (6mm), semi-glossy, light green. Shrub 3′ (0.9m) tall x 2′ (0.6m) wide in 6 years. Plant and buds hardy to at least -5°F (-21°C). Mid April. (Note: Fls and lvs resemble those of kiusianum.) [Ed. note: Augie saw this plant in a local garden, recognized its merit and registered it, and was quite embarrassed when he later discovered this is the Kurume also known as ‘Old Ivory’, ‘Shin Sekai’, ‘Mizu-no-yamabuki’, Wilson #3—and that one can not un-register a plant.]
	‘Cream Ruffles’	‘Cream Ruffles’ (ARS 981): Evergreen azalea. (‘Kinpow’ x ‘Anna Kehr’). H(1988), G(1991), N, and REG (1997): August E. Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Fls 2-3/dome truss, broadly funnel-shaped, hose-in-hose, semi-double or double, 1.75″ (45mm) long x 2.75″ (70mm) wide, with 5 wavy-edged lopbes/whorl and some petaloid stamens; deep cream in bud, opening inside cream at margins with a yellowish green center spotted light greenish yellow, outside cream. Green calyx lacking. Truss 1.75″ (45mm) high x 3.5″ (90mm) wide. Lvs elliptic, flat, cuneate base, broadly acute apex, 1.5″ (40mm) x 0.6″ (15mm), semi-glossy, deep green. Shrub 1.5′ (0.45m) tall x 2′ (0.6m) wide in 8 years, dense habit. Plant and buds hardy to at least -5°F (-21°C). Late May.
	‘Great Expectations’	‘Great Expectations’ (ARS 843): Evergreen azalea. Anytime Tetra (an unregistered colchicine-induced evergreen azalea) x R. nakaharae ‘Mariko’. Cross (1974) raised, introduced (1984) by Dr August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Some distribution under breeders number: 306-1. Buds reddish-orange. Flowers of good substance, funnel-shaped, 3″ x 3″ with 6 wavy lobes + central “petals” (double), Red Group 42C, with dorsal purplish-red blotch. 0-3 stamens. Calyx 3/8″, green. Inflorescence 4″ across x 5″ high, lax, with 2-3 flowers. Free flowering. Leaves 1 – 2″ x 1/2 – 1″, narrowly obovate (few elliptic), mucronate, narrowly cuneate, bullate, deep green, ciliate, upper surface moderately setose and underside with veins quite setose (few between) (all visible with lens), leaves retained well through winter. Plant broad, branching well with decumbent branches. Blooms in mid-May. Hardy to at least -5?F.
	‘Harold Epstein’	‘Harold Epstein’ (ARS 981): Evergreen azalea. (Witches’ broom from ‘White Rosebud’). S(c1987) and N(1994): Philip Waldman, Roslyn NY; I(1994): Roslyn Nursery, Dix Hills NY; REG(1997) August E. Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Fls 2-3/flat truss, broadly funnel-shaped, hose-in-hose, fully double (no stamens), c1.8″ (45mm) x 2″ (50mm) wide, with 409 wavy-edged lobes; white throughout, unmarked. Green calyx lacking. Truss 1.5″ (40mm) high x 3″ (75mm) wide. Lvs elliptic, flat, rounded base, obtuse apex, 0.75″ (19mm) x 0.4″ (10mm), glossy, deep green. Shrub 0.8′ (0.25m) tall x 1′ (0.3m) wide in 5 years, dense growth habit. Plant and buds hardy to at least -5°F (-21°C). Late May. (Note: A. E. Kehr was the originator of ‘White Rosebud’)
	‘Janet Flick’	‘Janet Flick’ (ARS 981): Evergreen azalea. ((‘Triumph’ x ‘Beni-kirishima’) x ‘Marilee’). H(1984), G(1987), N, and REG(1997): August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Fls 2/flat truss, broadly funnel-shaped, fully double (no stamens), c1.5″ (40mm) long x 2″ (50mm) wide, with 10 wavy-edged lobes; strong purplish pink (62A). Calyx c0.1″ (3mm) long, green. Truss 1.25″ (30mm) high x 2.5″ (65mm) wide. Truss 1.25″ (30mm) high x 2.5″ (65mm) wide. Lvs elliptic, rounded base, broadly acute apex, 0.9″ (23mm) x 0.5″ (13mm), with hairs below and on petiole. Shrub 1′-1.5′ (0.3 0.45m) tall x 2′-2.5′ (0.6-0.75m) wide in 5 years, creeping to spreading habit. Plant and buds hardy to at least 0°F ( 18°C). Late May.
	‘Kehr’s Moonbeam’	(578-8A X ‘Green Glow’, ‘Kehr’s Unfinished Yellow’); source: Nuccio’s Nursery, Altadena CA
	‘King’s Red’	‘King’s Red’ (ARS 874): Deciduous azalea. Parentage unknown. Cross (c1975) by Edward King, Alexandria VA; raised, named, introduced, and registered by August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Flowers opently to widely funnel-shaped, 2-3/4″ across x 2″ long, 11-14 per truss, 6-lobed, with frilled margins. Vivid red (46B). No calyx. Ball truss, 5″ across x 4″ high. Leaves 3-3/4″ long x 1-5/8″ wide, elliptic, convex, apiculate, rounded, bullate. Plant upright, open habit, 4′ high x 2′ wide in 6 years from cutting. Blooms mid May. Plant and bud hardy to at least -15°F.
	‘Mary Lou Kehr’	‘Mary Lou Kehr’ (ARS 874): Evergreen azalea. Unnamed Gable R. macrosepalum hybrid #2 x ‘Heiwa-no-hikari’ (Hirado, USDA PI 274710). Cross (1963), raised, named, introduced, and registered by August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Flowers openly funnel-shaped, 2-1/2″ across x 2-1/2″ long, double (petals not tightly packed). Light purplish pink (55C); very fragrant. Calyx 3/8″, green. Leaves 2-5/8″ long x 1-1/4″ wide, elliptic, flat, acute, cuneate, hairy. Spreading, open habit, very floriferous, 2-1/2′ high x 3′ wide in 6 years from cutting. Blooms mid May. Plant hardy to at least -10?F; buds, 0?F.
	‘Red Rosebud’	‘Red Rosebud’ (AU RS Spring 91, RHS 91, RHS 92): Evergreen azalea. (‘Triumph’ x ‘Diamond Dot’) x ‘Girard’s Hot Shot’. H (1967): August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC; G (1972): J. Wilson; N & REG (1991): L. Begg; Note: Wilson & Begg are Australians. Fls 2-3/truss, hose-in-hose, funnel-shaped, 45mm (1-7/8″) wide, strong red (46A). Lvs elliptic, 25mm (1″) x 15mm (0.6″). Shrub 0.6m (2′) tall.
	‘Memory of Fred Galle’	‘Memory of Fred Galle’ (ARS 001): Deciduous azalea. (arborescens x prunifolium). Seed of a natural hybrid collected by Fred C. Galle at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain GA; G(1983), S(1997), N(1999), and REG (1999): August E. Kehr, Hendersonville NC; in tissue culture (1998): Shadow Mountain Nursery (S. M. McCulloch). Fls 8-12/lax truss, tubular at first, becoming broadly funnel-shaped, 2″-2.4″ (50-60mm) long x 1.5″ (40mm) wide, 5 flat-edged lobes; yellowish pink in bud, opening apricot with a yellow dorsal flare and a yellow throat, unmarked; filaments and style red, slight to no scent . Truss 1.5″ (40mm) high x 3″-3.5″ (80-100mm) wide. Calyx c0.1″ (3mm) long, light green. Lvs elliptic, cuneate base, acuminate apex, flat, 3.25″-4″ (80-100mm) long; dull, deep green above, hairless. Shrub 7′ (2.1m) tall x 4′ (1.2m) wide in 18 years, open habit. Plant and bud hardy to at least -10°F (-23°C). Mid-August. [Ed. note: The plant pictured may be a sister seedling. I have a vague memory of Augie pointing it out, growing on the stream bank SE of the bridge to his magnolia meadow. While this specimen is very fragrant, it otherwise somewhat matches the above description, it was provided to the ARS 1994 convention by Augie Kehr as ‘Arb cross #1’ or ‘Arb cross #2’ , and is being grown by Glenn O’Sheal in Easley SC.]
	‘Terry’	‘Terry’ (ARS 944): Evergreen azalea. (yedoense var. poukhanense x ‘Banka’). H(1967), G(1970), N, I(1988), and REG(1994): August E Kehr, Hendersonville NC. Widely funnel-shaped, 5-lobed, wavy-edged fls of heavy substance occur singly and are 3.5″-4″ across x 3.5″-4″ long, near strong purple (77B), with dark purple (79A) spots on upper lobe and portions of adjacent lobes; calyx 0.25″ long, green, covered with fine white hairs. Lvs semi-deciduous, elliptic, flat, broadly acute (apex), cuneate (base), 1.5″ x 0.5″, with discrete white to golden hairs on blade, above and below, heaviest on midvein below. Shrub spreading, moderately floriferous, 3′ high x 3′ wide 10 years from cutting; plant and bud hardy to at least -5°F. Early May.
	‘White Rosebud’	‘White Rosebud’ (ARS 733): Evergreen azalea. ‘Vervaeniana alba’ x ‘Rosebud’ (Gable). Raised (1962) and introduced (1967) by Dr August E Kehr, Silver Spring MD. Flowers white with green throat, 1 3/4″-2″ diameter, double with ? 40 lobes. Buds rose bud form. No calyx on opened flower. 1-4 flowers in lax truss. Leaves elliptic, obtuse, cuneate, 1″ x 1/2″, medium green, glossy, bullate, retained 2-3 years. Plant low, dense, slow-growing, 2’x2′ in 6 years, blooming second week of May. Blooms as young plant. Hardy to at least -10°F.

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