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Lee's Dark Purple Rhododendron
Rhododendron x 'Lee's Dark Purple' (H-2)
Pronunciation: roh-doh-DEN-dron
SKU #00957
A hardy, compact shrub valued for its deep purple buds that open to large trusses of violet-purple flowers in late May. Dark green leaves with undulating edges nicely frame the colorful spring flowers and provide evergreen interest year-round. Thrives in cooler regions with some protection from winter winds. A great foundation or accent plant. Evergreen.
LIGHT: Full sun, Partial sun
WATER: Keep soil moist, but not soggy.
SIZE: Moderate growing; reaches 6 ft. tall, 6 to 8 ft. wide.
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Be Inspired: How to Use this Plant
| Bloom Time | Summer |
|---|---|
| Deciduous/Evergreen | Evergreen |
| Special Features | Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Easy Care, Compact Form |
| Problems/Solutions | Coastal Exposure |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Growth Habit | Upright |
| Flower Attributes | Showy Flowers |
| Landscape Use | Border, Hedge, Privacy Screen |
| Design Ideas | Few Rhododendron can compare with the size and intense color of this beauty. The broadly mounded, upright form makes an ideal background shrub that can cover utilities or bring down the scale of a stark two-story wall. Large enough for a privacy screen or a careful hedge to block undesirable views. Great as a single specimen accented with plants that won't compete for attention. Makes a great softener for prominent building corners. |
| Flower Color | Purple |
| Foliage Color | Dark Green |
| Companion Plants | This large elegant beauty deserves equally stunning companions such as Pearl Maxwell Camellia, (Camellia japonica 'Pearl Maxwell'), Valley Rose Pieris, (Pieris japonica 'Valley Rose'), Ice Cap Garden Phlox, (Phlox paniculata 'Dasfive') and Bright Lights Plantain Lily, (Hosta x 'Bright Lights'). |
| Care Instructions | Provide organically rich, well-drained, acidic soil. Apply a thick layer of mulch to keep roots cool, avoiding the crown. Avoid harsh afternoon sun exposures and shelter from drying winter winds. Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. |
| History | The genus Rhododendron is grouped into the heath family, Ericaceae which contains many acid soil loving species. The species are native to temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere but are most abundant in the Himalayas and other mountains of Asia. This plant is a cultivar of the species, R. catawbiense which is a native of southeastern United States with a range extending from Virginia to Georgia and Alabama. It was introduced into Europe in 1799 by John Fraser, a Chelsea, England nurseryman who was a leading importer of North American plants. This species is found in the ancestry of many of the modern Rhododendron hybrids. 'Lee's Dark Purple' is an early R. catawbiense cultivar introduced before 1851 and is counted among the "ironclads." |
| Lore | Rhododendron was named and classified by Linnaeus who named it from the Greek for rose tree. This genus also contains shrubs commonly called azaleas within its 800 Rhododendron species and thousands of hybrids. |
Details
| Bloom Time | Summer |
|---|---|
| Deciduous/Evergreen | Evergreen |
| Special Features | Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Easy Care, Compact Form |
| Problems/Solutions | Coastal Exposure |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Growth Habit | Upright |
| Flower Attributes | Showy Flowers |
Style
| Landscape Use | Border, Hedge, Privacy Screen |
|---|---|
| Design Ideas | Few Rhododendron can compare with the size and intense color of this beauty. The broadly mounded, upright form makes an ideal background shrub that can cover utilities or bring down the scale of a stark two-story wall. Large enough for a privacy screen or a careful hedge to block undesirable views. Great as a single specimen accented with plants that won't compete for attention. Makes a great softener for prominent building corners. |
| Flower Color | Purple |
| Foliage Color | Dark Green |
| Companion Plants | This large elegant beauty deserves equally stunning companions such as Pearl Maxwell Camellia, (Camellia japonica 'Pearl Maxwell'), Valley Rose Pieris, (Pieris japonica 'Valley Rose'), Ice Cap Garden Phlox, (Phlox paniculata 'Dasfive') and Bright Lights Plantain Lily, (Hosta x 'Bright Lights'). |
Care
| Care Instructions | Provide organically rich, well-drained, acidic soil. Apply a thick layer of mulch to keep roots cool, avoiding the crown. Avoid harsh afternoon sun exposures and shelter from drying winter winds. Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. |
|---|
History
| History | The genus Rhododendron is grouped into the heath family, Ericaceae which contains many acid soil loving species. The species are native to temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere but are most abundant in the Himalayas and other mountains of Asia. This plant is a cultivar of the species, R. catawbiense which is a native of southeastern United States with a range extending from Virginia to Georgia and Alabama. It was introduced into Europe in 1799 by John Fraser, a Chelsea, England nurseryman who was a leading importer of North American plants. This species is found in the ancestry of many of the modern Rhododendron hybrids. 'Lee's Dark Purple' is an early R. catawbiense cultivar introduced before 1851 and is counted among the "ironclads." |
|---|---|
| Lore | Rhododendron was named and classified by Linnaeus who named it from the Greek for rose tree. This genus also contains shrubs commonly called azaleas within its 800 Rhododendron species and thousands of hybrids. |
Retailers Near You
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Retailers Near You
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About Us
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly
100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.