Every book says that 'Tony' has flowers of "cherry red." The color is about the same as 'Nova Zembla,' but the flowers are a little larger. The plant is probably a little different, but I have not had either long enough to say that. So far, 'Tony' is growing low, like the reputation of the Shammarello hybrids, and 'Nova Zembla' is growing very much upright, and not very compact, like the old ironclads. I suspect that this will continue to be true.

I have heard a few people say that they lost their 'Tony' and that they can't seem to grow it. A lot of people plant their rhododendrons in the shade, but the Shammarello hybrids were all bred in full sun. There were no trees on Shammarello's nursery. Sunlight helps to grow strong tissues, and to harden off the tissue for the winter. If the plants are grown in the shade, and then the trees offer no shade in the winter, the sun could burn up the foliage. Could this be why my 'Tony' seems to do well with lots of sun? This plant was purchased at Builders Square, Summer 1999.

Parentage: 'Boule de Neige' x 'America'? ('America' or some other red-flowered catawbiense form or hybrid)

Hybridizer: Anthony M. Shammarello, 1955.

Introduced:

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