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
- Description
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Dwarf Purple Rhododendron is a compact slow-growing flowering evergreen shrub in with spectacular purple flowers that cover the plant in the spring. It has tiny leathery gray-green leaves that provide year-round interest. It prefers full sun to partial shade in well-drained acidic, high organic matter soils. Plant it is small groups in border fronts, in rock or woodland gardens. Plant it at about 15" 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.
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
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- 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
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
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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
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1" blue-purple flowers completely cover the shrub in the spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- 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:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
