- Partial Shade to Partial Sun (3 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 2 - 3 Feet
- Mature Spread 2 - 3 Feet
- Growing Zones 5 - 8
It’s tough yet dainty, with papery purple flowers filling a compact evergreen shrub. Purple Gem Rhododendron is a gorgeous addition to a garden bed or border. Smaller than many rhododendrons, Purple Gem grows to less than 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide, so it serves as an excellent year-round ground cover. In winter, it’s attractive enough with its dense cover of small green leaves. But beginning in May, it explodes with a purple color that nearly hides the foliage beneath.
The color and dense growth combine to make this plant excellent for a low border or just to fill a garden bed. This rhododendron can take the cold of zone 5 and heat up to zone 8. In addition, this is an easy-care plant that only needs partial sunlight. There is no need to remove flowers once they fade. Enjoy the rush of color to welcome late spring in your landscape with Purple Gem Rhododendron.
Purple Gem Rhododendron Care
Plant your rhododendron in a shady or partly sunny area (about 4 hours of sun a day or less) for best results in spring or early fall. Choose soil that drains well and mulch (about a 3-inch layer) after planting to help retain moisture around the plant. Rhododendrons prefer acidic soil, so amend with sulfur or another additive as needed. It prefers a slow soak of water that will reach deeply into the soil.
Fertilize your shrub in the spring with a 6-10-14 fertilizer. Prune the plant for shape after it is done flowering, cutting off faded flower stems. If the plant becomes larger than planned, you can prune it to only a foot or so above the ground every few years to rejuvenate the shrub. Cut back on watering in winter and replace mulch as needed in late fall.
Purple Gem Rhododendron Spacing
Space Purple Gem Rhododendron about 3 feet apart when planted as a border. Consider their low height when placing them behind or before other plants.
Purple Gem Rhododendron Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8 |
| Plant Type: |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Partial Sun (3 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 3 - 4 Feet |
| Spacing: 3 - 4 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Purple |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: First Week of May |
| Foliage Type: Evergreen |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer, Disease, Pests & Insects |
| Tolerates: Drought |
| Attracts: Butterflies |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Hedges & Privacy, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Deadheading Not Necessary, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Purple Gem Rhododendron |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: RHODODENDRON X `PURPLE GEM` |
- SKU:
- 1231000115-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
Also Known 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
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
2.5 Quart
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
#1 Pot
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
#2 Pot
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
#3 Pot
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
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes 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 more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
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 a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
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