| General Description | This broadleaved evergreen is one of the hardiest of all the rhododendrons. Purple flowers, leaves are dark green 7.5-16 cm long 2.5-5cm wide, aromatic if bruised. |
| ID Characteristic | Broadleaved evergreen, narrow leaf form with dark green, upper leaf surface and lighter green underside. Very aromatic if bruised, Bark is yellowish green on younger growth, eventually turns to a dull brown. |
| Shape | Taller than wide but still presumes a rounded form. Very dense foliage and form. |
| Propagation | There is a high success rate when sown by seed, cuttings show variations in rootability. Collect cuttings in mid August for the highest success rate. To increase success rate in cuttings use rooting hormone that includes a fungicide. |
| Cultivation | Place in a partially shaded area with little to no wind. Ensure soil is acidic and well drained to prevent root rot. Place ample mulch around planting site, supercharge before winter, to protect from snow build up. |
| Pests | Botryosphaeria canker, crown rot, dieback, damping off, Japanese beetle, giant hornet, Asiatic garden beetle, lace bugs, rhododendron aphids, powdery mildew, rust, azalea stem borer, leaf scorch, shoot blight , may all be problems. |
| Habitat | The Alleghenies, West Virginia southwest to Georgia and Alabama. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Yellowish green on young growth turning to a dull brown with maturity. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Vegetative buds are large to 1cm long, scaly, pointed and yellowish green. Flower buds are 3 cm-5 cm and a rose colour. |
| Leaf Description | Alternate, simple, evergreen, 7.5-16 cm long 2.5-5 cm wide, rounded base, dark green topside, light green underside, leathery texture, petiole 1-2.25cm long. |
| Flower Description | Light purple sometimes with a hint of rose. Green or yellowish brown markings on inside of corollas. 3.5-6cm wide flowers. Flowers late April to mid- May. |
| Fruit Description | Dehisent, 5-valved capsule; light green in colour turning to yellow once opened. It is a large capsule at the tip of petiole. |
| Colour Description | Dark green leaves in spring, summer and autumn but turns a lighter green over winter, the bark turns yellowish green in the winter months and eventually brown once maturity is reached. |
| Texture Description | Medium-coarse year round. |