Saturated purple spring trusses and evergreen depth, the kind of rich color that makes a shade garden feel luxurious
FEATURES:
- Vibrant violet-purple flower trusses that deliver a dramatic spring display in part shade
- Thick, leathery evergreen leaves for year-round structure and screening
- Naturally broad, rounded habit that fills space beautifully without looking stiff
- A go-to shrub for woodland layers and sheltered foundation plantings
- Cold-hardy performance for reliable evergreen presence in cooler climates
- Creates a bold backdrop that makes white blooms and bright foliage look even brighter
- Hand Selected; Fresh from the Grower
- Ships on our trucks because the size of the tree - does not fit in a box.
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip:
Use this plant like a background in a painting. Let it sit behind lighter blooms, creamy whites, pale pinks, and silvery foliage, and suddenly everything looks more intentional. If your shade bed feels flat, this is the piece that adds depth, like turning the contrast up on the whole scene.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Mature Height: 6-8' tall
- Mature Width: 6-8' wide
- Exposure: Part Shade/Shade
- Spacing: 6-8' apart
Purpureum Elegans Rhododendron
Bower & Branch Trees and Plants
Rhododendron catawbiense 'Purpureum Elegans'
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Saturated purple spring trusses and evergreen depth, the kind of rich color that makes a shade garden feel luxurious
FEATURES:
- Vibrant violet-purple flower trusses that deliver a dramatic spring display in part shade
- Thick, leathery evergreen leaves for year-round structure and screening
- Naturally broad, rounded habit that fills space beautifully without looking stiff
- A go-to shrub for woodland layers and sheltered foundation plantings
- Cold-hardy performance for reliable evergreen presence in cooler climates
- Creates a bold backdrop that makes white blooms and bright foliage look even brighter
- Hand Selected; Fresh from the Grower
- Ships on our trucks because the size of the tree - does not fit in a box.
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip:
Use this plant like a background in a painting. Let it sit behind lighter blooms, creamy whites, pale pinks, and silvery foliage, and suddenly everything looks more intentional. If your shade bed feels flat, this is the piece that adds depth, like turning the contrast up on the whole scene.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Mature Height: 6-8' tall
- Mature Width: 6-8' wide
- Exposure: Part Shade/Shade
- Spacing: 6-8' apart
Why plant Purpureum Elegans Rhododendron?
One hundred and seventy years later, it’s still a favorite! Purpureum Elegans Catawba Rhododendron is a treasured Accent that has truly stood the test of time. Beloved for generations, this heirloom plant finds an honored place in gardens of all types. It looks regal in the most formal of landscapes but is equally at home in naturalistic gardens as well. Purpureum Elegans supplies lively greenery to foundation plantings, island beds, and mixed borders all year-long, and its blossoms are a bonanza in late spring. The rich purple blooms, borne in abundance, capture the essence of that sweet season. In May and June, the Catawba Rhododendron lights up shady hillsides and forest understory in the Alleghany Mountains, bringing its rosy purple cheer to a region extending from southern Virginia to northern Alabama. This American native was named after Native Americans—the Catawba people have their homeland in South Carolina. Purpureum Elegans therefore has its origins in the U.S., but also in England, where it was first grown. The Waterer family of the illustrious Knap Hill Nurseries in Sussex brought this revered Accent to life. Hosea Waterer, who actually lived in Philadelphia, is credited with its introduction in 1850.
How to use Purpureum Elegans Rhododendron in the landscape?
Some Rhododendrons can be a bit tricky to grow, but Purpureum Elegans is one of the most resilient. With proper care, it thrives in the colder states—down to -25ºF—and tolerates the heat and humidity of the South as well. This one is a winner!
How To Plant Purpureum Elegans Rhododendron
Catawba Rhododendron is tougher than many Rhododendrons, but it does appreciate good siting and aftercare. Plant Purpureum Elegans in part shade, in cool, acidic, well-drained soil for best results. Keep the rootzone moist but never soggy. An annual layer of organic mulch will help to retain moisture. Avoid harsh chemical fertilizers—Catawba Rhododendron is sensitive to overfeeding; a gentle organic product like Bower & Branch Elements™ Fertilizer is all that is needed if plants seem weak or “hungry.” Black vine weevil and Azalea lace bug can sometimes be an issue, but specimens grown in optimal conditions in most cases will remain healthy and resistant to attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
The blooms are a saturated violet-purple, forming large trusses in spring. The color reads rich and bold, especially in part shade where it doesn’t wash out.
It prefers acidic, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Rhododendrons have shallow roots, so a mulch layer helps keep roots cool and evenly moist, just keep mulch a few inches away from the stems and avoid soggy soil.
Deadheading spent flower trusses after bloom is optional but can keep the plant tidy and encourage strong growth for next year. If you need to shape the shrub, prune lightly right after flowering. Avoid heavy late-season pruning, since buds for future blooms form on new growth.
