| General Description | Rhododendron 'Ramapo' is a dense-growing evergreen shrub that has clusters of purple-blue flowers which are an excellent contrast to the blue-green foliage. Ramapo is very effective when a smaller accent plant is needed.
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| ID Characteristic | 'Ramapo' is a dwarf, compact and hardy variety with bright purple-blue flowers, which are about 2.5 cm long. The foliage is a dense blue green colour and about 5 - 7 cm in length. 'Ramapo' attracts butterflies and is deer resistant.
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| Shape | Mounding, round, compact. |
| Landscape | Border, container, hedge, rock garden, woodland garden, mass planting, grouping, specimen plant.
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| Propagation | By layering, grafting, and tissue culture.
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| Cultivation | Rhododendron 'Ramapo' prefers high organic, well-drained, acidic soils. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Make sure to mulch well to conserve moisture.
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| Pests | Chlorosis, leaf spot, borer damage, salt burn, die back, root rot, spider mites, lacebugs, black vine weevil.
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| Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description | The young shoots of 'Ramapo' have a nice red-cinnamon colour providing year round interest. Old bark is grey in colour.
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| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | The leaf buds on 'Ramapo' are right at the base of the flower clusters. Once the main bud opens up into a cluster of lavender buds, then each one of those buds opens again into its own flower. Rhododendrons set their buds on old wood.
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| Leaf Description | The leaves are 5 -7 cm in length and are dark green in colour. The leaves are naturally circular and when bruised, give off a pine aroma. The foliage turns from a frosty blue, to blue-green, and finally to bronze-green with the seasons.
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| Flower Description | The flower on Rhododendron 'Ramapo' is about 2.5 cm long, purple-blue in colour, and are held in clusters on the plant in the Spring. Ramapo flowers from April - May. |
| Fruit Description | Rhododendron fruit is a red-brown, elongated capsule that is about 1.5 cm long. Inside the capsule there are many tiny seeds that are in a long-stemmed cluster. Fruit matures in the autumn.
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| Colour Description | 'Ramapo' has changing foliage colour from blue, to green, to bronze with the seasons. The flowers on 'Ramapo' are an astounding blue-purple colour in the spring. The new bark is a red-cinnamon colour, and the old bark is grey in colour.
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| Texture Description | Smooth leaves with delicate purple spring flowers.
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