Why Plant PJM Elite Rhododendron?
Not afraid of the cold! PJM Elite is a rugged Accent that lets homeowners in the northern states enjoy the pleasures of Rhododendron-growing. Evergreen Rhododendrons are some of the most beautiful plants you can buy, but many of them are too tender to grow in our coldest regions. PJM Elite is one remarkable exception. Tolerating winter lows to -30ºF, it sails through some of the roughest winters and puts on a dazzling show of lavender-pink blooms in early spring. We love it with Daffodils and early woodland wildflowers in a lightly shaded entryway garden or patio planting.
Hybrid Evergreen Rhododendrons are the result of years of patient breeding work done using countless species and forms of these spectacular Accents. East meets West in the fabulous hybrid PJM Rhododendrons. In the late 1930s, Peter J. Mezitt (hence the name ‘PJM’) and his son Edmund began breeding these useful selections at their family nursery near Boston, Massachusetts. They used the American Piedmont Rhododendron and the North Asian Dahurian Rhododendron as the parents. PJM Elite is a descendant of those original offspring and was introduced in 1987. It is larger-growing, more vigorous, pinker, and a little later-blooming than other selections. Some consider Elite to be the best PJM of all.
How to use PJM Elite Rhododendron in the landscape?
Small leathery leaves give PJM Elite Rhododendron eye-appeal all year long. The dark olive-green foliage turns a fascinating warm mocha color in the wintertime. The leaves also have an unusual but pleasant herbal scent. Plant PJM Elite near an inviting sitting area, where you and your guests can sample the fresh fragrance.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant PJM Elite Rhododendron
Rhododendrons appreciate a little pampering. They thrive when shielded from hot summer sun and given moist but well-drained, acidic soil. They never like to dry out but don’t care for soggy conditions, either. Rhododendrons can “burn” from harsh chemical fertilizers, so feed with a gentle organic product like Bower & Branch Elements™ Fertilizer. Azalea lace bug can sometimes be an issue, but specimens grown in optimal conditions in most cases will remain healthy and resistant to attack.
How To Water
Keep to a consistent watering schedule for your new Rhododendrons. Once established, plants will need a drink when the top few inches of soil dry out.
How To Fertilize
Rhododendrons prefer to be fed after flowering in the spring, we recommend using our Elements Starter Plant Food.
How To Prune
If pruning is necessary, trim your PJM Elite Rhododendron immediately after blooming, as next year’s flower buds are formed in summer.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
