Dwarf Purple Rhododendron Rhododendron impeditum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhododendron impeditum 'Impeditum'
- Phonetic Spelling
- roh-do-DEN-dron im-ped-EYE-tum
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Dwarf purple rhododendron is a woody, compact, slow-growing, broadleaf evergreen shrub or groundcover in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family. It is native to China. This rhododendron grows to a height of 1 foot and width of 1 to 2 feet. The genus name derives from the Greek words rhodo, which means rose, and dendron, meaning tree.
This plant prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil in dappled shade and protection from afternoon sun which can scorch the leaves. It does not tolerate dense clay, so if you have clay soil, amend with organic material. The roots may rot if soil does not drain well. Plant the root ball high in the soil to help with drainage issues. Avoid overwatering and over-fertilizing. Pruning, if desired, may be done after flowering.
Dwarf purple rhododendron blooms in the spring with spectacular purple flowers that completely cover the plant. It has fragrant, tiny, leathery, gray-green leaves that provide year-round interest.
Plant it in small groups in border fronts, rock, or woodland gardens. Plant it at about 15 inches apart and the plants will grow together to form a dense groundcover. This plant is often chosen for bonsai. It is resistant to damage by deer.
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.While rhododendrons remain very popular for landscape use, many cultivars are susceptible to Phytophthora root rot—this leads to leaf loss, reduced vigor, branch dieback, and wilting. Implement good cultural practices first, such as improving drainage with organic matter or berms and avoiding overwatering or overfertilization. For suitable alternatives, see this video created by Charlotte Glen as part of the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens series.
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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- 'Tiny Cloud'
- 'Tiny Cloud'
- 'Tiny Cloud'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Tiny Cloud'
- 'Tiny Cloud'
- 'Tiny Cloud'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- impeditum
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Layering
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1" blue-purple flowers completely cover the shrub in the mid to late spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Fragrant, simple leathery gray-green leaves withe entire margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Salivation, watering of eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficult breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and legs, cardiac failure, coma.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Andromedotoxin, Grayantoxin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
