Purple Gem Rhododendron

Size

Its 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, its 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.