A Grower Perspective

If purple is the color you want in a rhododendron Lee’s Dark Purple will not disappoint you, it is truly dark purple. Blooming later than most rhododendrons, it continues the purples of the lilacs that have just finished blooming by starting its bloom in late May. As one of the ironclad rhodies, it is able to survive temperatures below -20 degrees. Growing six feet high and six to eight feet wide in ten years, it can fit into all but the tiniest of gardens. The foliage is handsome, dark and wavy and it may bloom twice a year once in May and again in October. Plant in full sun to part shade. The dark purple would be lovely under the bright green leaves and white bark of a jacquemontii birch.

These hardy plants will grow and thrive in the inland NW as well as the coast side. Rhododendrons require acid soil, good drainage and partial shade as well as frequent water summer through fall.