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Purpureum Elegans Rhododendron

Proven Winners

$39.99
Unit price per

Description

'Purpureum Elegans' is the purple form of the American native R. catawbiense. It features loads of captivating, large rounded trusses containing up to 18 flowers per cluster. The funnel-shaped flowers are a clear violet to bluish purple color lightening towards the center with cute red-brown to burgundy freckles on the dorsal petal. Long and leathery deep green leaves that maintain their deep color year round on a robust, upright rounded shrub that reaches 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Purpureum Elegans is a fine selection for the partially shaded landscape or woodland borders where there's some filtered sun or shade during the mid afternoon hours. In climates with cooler summers it will tolerate full sun. If you love the color violet, this is a superb, showy and easy-to-grow Rhododendron in and out of flower, even in cold climates as far north as USDA Zone 4 (-30F) and south to Zone 8.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 6 to 8 feet or more in height and equally as wide, the Purpureum Elegans Rhododendron is ideal for use as a specimen or natural hedge in partially shaded landscape and woodland borders. Rhododendrons do especially well on fertile embankments, hillsides and slopes. A fine addition to rhododendron and azalea gardens, blue or purple theme gardens, Asian or Zen gardens, and woodland gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 5 to 6 feet apart for solid hedges; 12 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

When it comes to success growing Rhododendrons, a little good advice goes a long way. When planted right and in the right spot, Rhododendrons are very easy to grow and care for.

Rhododendrons thrive in a moist but well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter and part shade; preferable morning sun with afternoon shade or heavily filtered sun. All day dappled shade is fine as well. Keep in mind that whether growing in the ground or in containers, constantly soggy or wet soil is problematic for Rhododendrons, and most other plants for that matter. Some soils, such as heavy clay, quick-draining sand, or otherwise poor soils, might need to be amended to provide sufficient nutrients, better soil drainage, and/or moisture retention. In containers, select a pot with a drainage hole(s) and use a 50/50 blend of professional potting mix and potting soil. Avoid using any native soil in pots. Feed Rhododendrons after they bloom with an acid-loving formula such as an Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Food.