Rhododendron catawbiense 'Lee’s Dark Purple'
Lee's Dark Purple Catawba Rhododendron

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Purple (Deep purple 2.5" dia. flowers in 5-6" dia. umbel-like racemes, appearing in late May)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Dark glossy green leaves, more whitish glabrous beneath; evergreen)
 Fruit Notes:
Brown (Not ornamentally important)
 Ultimate Height:
4-6 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
6-10 feet
 Soil Notes:
Requires moist, cool, acidic, well drained, organic soil; avoid harsh, dry, windswept sites
 Range:
Cultivated origin
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Alternate, simple, thick, dark green 3-5" wavy leaves are whitish glabrous beneath. Somewhat cupped.

Additional Information

The compact, but wide and bushy 'Lee's Dark Purple' is common in commerce. Avoid harsh, dry, windswept sites. Subject to winter burning of foliage in exposed sites near the limits of its range. Withstands -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Flower color bleaches out in high pH. Interveinal chlorosis can also occur in high pH soils. Sulfur can be added to increase the acidity of the soil, but this is not a permanent solution to these problems. Susceptible to a large number of pests and diseases, which can largely be prevented by good cultural practices.

When Rhododendron catawbiense 'Lee’s Dark Purple' has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

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No Fruiting Observations Available

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