This product does not ship to: Idaho

Dark Lord Rhododendron

$61.99
(14 reviews) Write a Review
Availability : In Stock
Spring 2024 Pre-Order - Learn More
$61.99
This product does not ship to: Idaho
  • Partial Shade to Partial Sun (3 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
  • Mature Height 5 - 8 Feet
  • Mature Spread 5 - 8 Feet
  • Growing Zones 5 - 8

The deepest burgundy flowers of any Rhododendron can be found on Dark Lord. The large bundles of trumpet flowers set off the equally dark green foliage perfectly. This Rhododendron would make a great single specimen shrub in a Cottage Garden or part of a larger “collection” of Rhododendrons in an established  woodland garden. The mid-May blooming puts Dark Lord in the middle of the Rhododendron blooming season. 

Rhododendrons for the  most part are self-cleaning. Their large blooms fall off when they are ready exposing the buds that will grow for next year. Deadheading makes them look more tidy, but it needs to be done carefully so the new buds are not disturbed. Beneficial pollinators flock to Rhododendrons not only because they are early bloomers, but the shape and giant size of the blooms make it easy for bees as well as hummingbirds to collect nectar.

Dark Lord Rhododendron Care

Rhododendrons need almost no care to look their best after they have been established. Plant them in average, well drained soil that is on the acidic side. Regular waiting the first couple years will be needed to get a nice strong root base. Longer watering less often will encourage their notoriously shallow growing roots to seek water deeper. Using drip irrigation or a soaker hose will help to keep the trunk and leaves dry. Rhododendrons do not like to have wet leaves. 

Rhododendrons like to be in a shadier spot the higher the hardiness zone. Especially beneficial would be late afternoon shade in the hotter climates to give the evergreen shrubs a chance to rest from the heat of the day. Protection from winter winds in the lower hardiness zones may be needed. Planting in a protected spot that gets plenty of sun will be best for the colder climates.

Dark Lord Rhododendron Spacing

Dark Lord is a medium sized Rhododendron and is useful either at the back of a smaller garden planting or in groups in the middle of a larger woodland setting. The overall size is a height of 5-8 feet with a width of 5-8 feet. Spacing is recommended at 6 feet on center.  Container growing Rhododendrons will help to keep them smaller, if that is the goal. A deep pot that has at least a 24 inch diameter is needed.

Dark Lord Rhododendron Information

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8
Plant Type:
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Partial Sun
Mature Height: 5 - 8 Feet
Mature Spread: 5 - 8 Feet
Spacing: 5 - 8 Feet
Habit: Upright
Flower Color(s): Purple
Flower Description:
Bloom Period: Early May
Foliage Type: Evergreen
Foliage Color(s): Green
Foliage Description:
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering
Watering: Average
Resists: Rabbit
Tolerates: Drought
Attracts: Bees
Container Role:
Uses: Borders, Wildlife Gardens
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Low Maintenance
Brand:
Common Name: Dark Lord Rhododendron
Other Name(s):
Scientific Name: RHODODENDRON `DARK LORD`
SKU:
1231007844-pc

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

4.5 Pot

4.5" Pot
 Also Know As:
   4.5" Container

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months
 Plant Size:
   ~ 3"-6"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
 Volume:
   1.42 quarts

Quart Pot

Quart Pot
 Also Know As:
   Quart

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months - 1 year
 Plant Size:
   ~ 4"-8"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
 Volume:
   1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart

2.5 Quart
 Also Know As:
   2.5 Quart Pot

 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 8"-12"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
 Volume:
   2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot

#1 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #1 Container
    1 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 10"-14"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 7"H x 7.75"W
 Volume:
   2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot

#2 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #2 Container
    2 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 3 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-18"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
 Volume:
   1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot

#3 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #3 Container
    3 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 2 - 4 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-30"
 Pot Size:
   ~9.5"H x 11"W
 Volume:
   2.32-2.76 gallons


For more detailed information, please click here.

Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)

Plant Addicts guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy and healthy, but the plant(s) are being shipped through the mail and accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.

For information on how to care for you new plant please check out our guide. Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty whether you’re new or an expert. There are many variables outside our control and yours that can cause the demise of your plant(s). Examples would be hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, disease, insects & many other factors. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all the unknowns and will replace your plant if it moves on to the plant afterlife.

The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant purchase. We will cover 100% of the price of the plant but the warranty does not cover shipping cost. Simply let us know if your plant has died within one year of receiving it and we’ll get you a new one shipped out. We may ask for photos for documentation purposes but again we’ll try to make it as easy as possible.

For more information, please go to our Shipping & Returns page at the bottom of the website.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

  • If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.  
    • We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location


Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.

14 Reviews - Dark Lord Rhododendron Show Reviews

  • 5
    Rhododendron

    Posted by April Meyers on Oct 25, 2023

    Received plant in beautiful condition, pot soil very nice & mixed well with my soil. Cannot give full review until I see how plant makes it through my NE Illinois zone 5b winters & another season. Still looks beautiful after being in the ground about 2 months. Looking forward to Spring & results.

  • 5
    Lovely...

    Posted by Carole McKay on Jul 17, 2023

    Arrived in good condition. Very happy

  • 5
    Love my rhododendron!!

    Posted by Colleen Firmstone on Jul 14, 2023

    I planted it and doing great so far!!

  • 5
    The Dark Lord is...

    Posted by Nila Pusin on Jun 15, 2023

    I must admit I was initially drawn to these rhodos due to their name. That is simply great branding. I haven't even seen the color of the flowers in person yet, but I know I will love it. The plants arrived promptly, excellently packaged, with new growth on each of them; since being planted they have continued to grow and thrive. I had not had any experience with ordering plants in the mail before, so I had some trepidation about it, but I hadn't seen this particular variety of rhodos in local nurseries so mail order was the way to go. The price was very reasonable and shipping was FREE!! This has been a very, very positive experience, and I would definitely buy from Plant Addicts again in the future.

  • 5
    Miss...

    Posted by Scherry Talley on Jun 07, 2023

    Plants received in great packaging and arrived in great condition. Beautiful color, just what I was looking for. Thanks for great service.

  • 3
    Healthy plants. Roots weren’t close to size of...

    Posted by Brady Neal on Jun 04, 2023

    Plants showed up healthy and happy. However, rootball was not quite half the size of 2gal pot once we took them out to plant in the ground. Again, happy healthy plants. Roots just not quite as developed as expected in a two gallon pot.

  • 4
    Healthy...

    Posted by Daniel Hohenstein on Jun 03, 2023

    The leaf color, size and the flower quality, color and size indicates that it will become a rewarding bush. If the roots had been coming out of bottom of the container and the height had been equally higher it would have been a full 2” pot. What do you feed your plants. Do you change as it gets older or does the condition of the plant dictate.

  • 5
    Healthy...

    Posted by Kristin Bethard on Jun 02, 2023

    Plant arrived in good condition. Can’t wait to enjoy its beauty for years to come!

  • 2
    8 days in...

    Posted by Daniel Guthner on Jun 01, 2023

    The plant was picked up two days after order but then took 8 days for UPS to deliver. It was highly distressed. It will survive but arrived in worse shape than any other plant I have ordered online from other companies. Not the company's fault but UPS took more than a week to deliver and it spent too many days in a hot truck. In the future I will only order from companies who ship FedEx or shippers other than UPS.