Connecticut Yankee,' 'Firestorm,' 'White Peter' and 'Wohnar's Purple' were introduced from that program between 1990 and 1992. Development of a rhododendron cultivar takes up to 40 years, beginning with a carefully conceived initial pollination and including seedling establishment, growth of liners, field growth and evaluation, propagation, commercial nursery trials and, eventually, registration, marketing and production. An exciting new six-member series from UConn, the Raise the Roof series, was introduced last year. In a bit of marketing bravado, all the cultivar names are related to basketball as a salute to the success of the perennially powerful men's and women's teams at UConn. Medium to large plant will reach 9 feet tall and 12 feet wide.
Flowers are either light yellow or yellow, depending on sun exposure.
Bloom time is typically late May in Connecticut. This one got its name from its bluish-purple flower color, reminiscent of Husky team colors. Rose colored with a small red flare. White with a large, red blotch in its upper throat. Another R. calophytum hybrid.