
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
Rhododendrons are known for providing dependable color while requiring little care, and Lee's Dark Purple Rhododendron lives up to this reputation. Dark purple flowers have lavender throats and add drama to a landscape. This plant blooms during late May and sets buds for the next year during the fall. The leathery foliage is dark green and complements the intensity of the flowers.
The size of Lee's Dark Purple Rhododendron makes it a natural choice for a border or hedge. Create a privacy screen on a property line or near a patio, or feature it in a bed or mass planting. Rhododendrons keep their foliage year-round, so the plant continues to provide greenery and texture throughout the winter. This shrub is reliably hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8.
Lee's Dark Purple Rhododendron Care
Plant the Lee's Dark Purple Rhododendron in partial sun to full shade. An area that receives 4 to 6 hours of sunlight is preferred. This plant likes moist but not soggy soil, so make sure the soil drains. Established plants do not need water often but water during a dry spell to support continued growth. Apply a slow-release, acidic fertilizer in the spring.
Deadheading isn’t needed, and this Rhododendron naturally maintains a nice, rounded shape, so pruning is unnecessary. Shape the plant as required after the flowers fade but before the plant sets new buds in the fall.
Lee's Dark Purple Rhododendron Spacing
This large, upright perennial will reach 6 to 7 feet tall and 7 to 8 feet wide. The Lee's Dark Purple Rhododendron makes an excellent hedge or privacy screen, and shrubs can be spaced about 6 feet apart to create a dense or continuous planting.
Lees Dark Purple Rhododendron Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8 |
Plant Type: Bushes |
Light Exposure: Full Shade to Partial Sun (0 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 6 - 7 Feet |
Mature Spread: 6 - 8 Feet |
Spacing: 7 - 8 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Purple |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: Late May |
Foliage Type: Evergreen |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: Deep Green |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering |
Watering: Low |
Resists: Disease, Pests & Insects |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies |
Container Role: Thriller |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Specimen or Focal Point |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Deadheading Not Necessary, Low Maintenance |
Brand: |
Common Name: Lees Dark Purple Rhododendron |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: Rhododendron cat. 'Lee's Dark Purple' |
- SKU:
- 1231000097-pc
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.

Also Known 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

Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

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

Also Known 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

Also Known 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

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.