Rhododendron Black Hat® 'NCRX2'
Common Name(s):
- Description
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Black Hat® is an evergreen hybrid rhododendron in the Ericaceae family bred by Dr. Tom Ranney of NCSU with parentage of Elite x Bubblegum. It has a compact habit, growing 3 feet tall and wide with a well-branched, rounded habit.
Plant Black Hat® in full sun to partial sun in acidic, moist, well-drained soils. Fertilize with a product for acid-loving plants in spring as new growth appears. No deadheading or pruning required..
The pink to reddish-purple flowers have darker blotches and appear in clusters in early spring. The bloom season is extended because of its triploid DNA. The thick leaves are purplish-green, providing year-long interest. In cooler weather, they become nearly black.
Use this shrub as a specimen, in groups, as a foundation plant or in the winter, cottage or pollinator garden border.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect problems include aphids, borers, lace bugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips, and whitefly. Diseases include canker, crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. This plant is frequently damaged by deer. See pests of rhododendrons to the left.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds. Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Elongated capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are trumpet-shaped, pink to reddish-purple with darker blotches and slightly ruffled edges. They are up to 2 inches across, slightly fragrant and bloom in spring. The bloom season is extended because it is a triploid selection.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cuneate
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The purple-green, almost black, thick leaves are 2.5 inches long, elliptic in shape with a cuneate base.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
