The RHS is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for the genus Rhododendron.
Download an application form for registration of a rhododendron name (Adobe Acrobat pdf 15KB)
Registration of cultivar names
The International Rhododendron Register and Checklist
The International Rhododendron Register and Checklist, second edition, was published in November, 2004 and is available from RHS Enterprises at Wisley. The new Register & Checklist, which runs to 1544 pages bound in two volumes, contains information on over 28,000 entries for cultivar and Group names. It incorporates all names known to have been used within the genus Rhododendron up to the end of December 2002. Thus all azaleas, azaleodendrons and vireyas are included, as well as the core of hardy rhododendrons. All registered names are clearly indicated.
Find out more; supplements are available
Where the data is available the individual entries contain details of parentage, names of all those involved with the raising, naming, introduction and registration of each plant, as well as whatever descriptive information can be found.
The text has been prepared by the International Registrar (Dr Alan Leslie) assisted by a small International Advisory Team consisting of: Jay Murray (USA), John Bond (UK), Charles Puddle (UK), Graeme Eaton (Australia), Michael Cullinane (New Zealand), Yukio Sasaki (Japan), Walter Schmalscheidt (Germany) and Albert De Raedt (Belgium).
Initial publication is in hard copy but it is intended that the data will be placed on the Society's website in due course. Annual hard copy supplements will continue to be issued.
Publications are available from the mail order department of The Wisley Shop.