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- 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 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
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
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
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
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
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 Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
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.