Well, if you want to puzzle them out, maybe the FNA (Flora of North America) keys will help. The first link describes R. periclymenoides, and the second is for R. prinophyllum. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250065651 http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242417131

One reason is that many of the box store plants are tissue culture plants and do not always come out identical to the original. I am not sure why; I don't know if it is chromosome damage or what. A cutting always comes true to the original. Also, their is a great sense of satisfaction in propagating one's own plants, especially an old historically relevant plant.

I'd think the evergreen rhododendrons would be more likely to get burned than the deciduous one. While both of these particular ones are subzero hardy, generally the deciduous habit is associated with winter conditions (except for deciduous tropicals, that defoliate because of seasonal drought or flooding) that are too severe for broadleaf evergreen foliage. Here on the west coast native broadleaf evergreens are few in number in the PNW, but as soon as you get into Californian conditions (milder winters) in southern Oregon the broadleaf evergreens start to really give the conifers a run for their money, resulting in the 'mixed evergreen forest'.

jdumas; a hearthy welcome to the Gardenweb and the Azalea/Rhodie forum; Each year the Massachussetts Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society submits a 'group' order to Van Veen Nurseries of Portland Oregon, a wholesale grower . These plants are mostly yearlings from rooted cuttings. These are hight quality plants at an exceptional prices. Here is 2005 possible 'yellow' hybrid selection that is available for members of that chapter; August Moon , Golden Star Banana flip , Goldfort Bernstein , Goldstrike Blondie , Goldsworth Yellow Bo-Peep , Grumpy Borneo , Harvest Moon Cream Crest , Hotei Crest , Inamorata Crystal Springs , Jeanne Church Dr.William Fleming , Merley Cream Evening Glow , Moonstone Festivo , Mrs Betty Robertson Flava , Nancy Evans Golden Harbinger , Odee Wright Golden harvest , Shamrock Unique , Viscy Yellow Hammer , Yellow Petticoats Yellow Saucer-, ------------------------------------- This chapter also has a wonderful program called Plants for Members (P4M) where members take cuttings of their unique rhodies that they have in New England area and they propogate those and make them availbale to the other members-- last years cuttings 2004 - the list contained over 5000 plants that were available- You will 'never' see that many varities in 'any' catolog in the world. The volunteers from the chapter who take care of this function for other members meet in Rhode Island. Even Though I live in Illinois , I took an oppurtunity myself this past spring- in obtaining the latest Hybrids that Mr.Joe Parks created in New Hempshire.- If they dont grow it there, it probably doesn't exist unless it is very new. Check out the best web site in the world about Rhodies , and especially for zones 4-7. Here is a link that might be useful: Mass Chapter