Purple Gem Rhododendron
Rhododendron 'Purple Gem' 

Foliage: Dark green
Fall Foliage: Burgundy
Fruit: Insignificant
​Habit/Form: Compact, mounded
​Uses: Mass planting, foundation, borders

Zone Hardiness:  4 - 8
Plant Height:  3- 4 ft
Plant Width: 3 -4 ft 
Light: Sun/part shade
​Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

Purple Gem Rhododendron is covered in stunning clusters of lightly-scented purple trumpet-shaped flowers with violet streaks at the ends of the branches in mid spring. It has olive green evergreen foliage which emerges bluish-green in spring. The glossy narrow leaves turn an outstanding coppery-bronze in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. It requires well-drained, highly acidic soil. This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Prefers to be planted in morning sun and afternoon shade, however, Purple Gem can take more sun that some of the other varieties. This plant is resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits, and attracts butterflies, bees and other pollinators.