Evergreen Shrub – ‘Ramapo’ Rhododendron

‘Ramapo’ Rhododendron 

Botanical name: rhododendron x ‘ramapo’ 

Beginner friendly?: yes 

Average size at maturity: 3-4 ft in height and in spread 

Hardy zone: zones 4-8 

Growth rate: grows less than 6 inches per year 

Foliage color: green 

Flower color: purple 

Bloom time:  spring 

Pruning instructions: prune during the early summer, once all blooms have faded for the season 

Propagation methods: propagate with semi-new growth cuttings during the summer months 

Landscape use: hedge, border, mass planting, pollinator garden, focal point 

Special features: compact size, cold hardy, attracts pollinators 

Light needs: no more than 4 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: keep soil consistently moist but not soggy or waterlogged 

Fertilizing instructions : use a slow-release, acid-loving fertilizer once a year in the early spring before flowering begins, and once again during the summer months once the blooming season is over 

Best time to plant: spring, fall 

Best type of soil: loam, sand 

Companion plants: mountain laurel, bugleweed, bleeding heart, Japanese forest grass 

Toxicity level: mildly toxic for humans and pets if ingested 

Invasive species: no