| Description | Purple Gem Rhododendron (Rhododendron) A smaller evergreen Rhododendron with purple flowers. |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Shrubs Broadleaf Evergreen |
| Hardiness Zone | 4-8 |
| Sunlight | part sun, shaded |
| Moisture | moist, average |
| Soil & Site | moist, acidic, humusy |
| Temperature | -20 F |
| Flowers | purplish-violet, borne in ball-shaped trusses |
| Leaves | aromatic, rusty olive green, bronze in winter, new foliage has a bluish tone |
| Dimensions | about 2 by 2, rounded |
| Maintenance | I like to dig a large hole, not to deep and mix the soil with 50% peat moss, compost or other organic material. Plant in a slight mound for good drainage. Add a cup or two of Ammonia sulfate (or any other acid-producing fertilizer) and some regular fertilizer. Water in good and keep moist. Mulch will help to slow down the loss of water. I like to add acid fertilizer in the fall and spring. Also, you can use a liquid acid fertilizer such as Mir-acid. Any pruning should be done right after flowering. |
| Cultivar Origin | fastigiatum x minus var. minus Carolinianum |
| Author's Notes | I must admit I have had trouble keeping this Rhododendron alive for more than a year or two. |
Cart
