Rhododendron 'Lees Dark Purple'

An old hybrid dating from before 1851 and still one of the best available, Rhododendron x 'Lees Dark Purple' is a magnificent, medium-sized evergreen rhododendron with flamboyant flowers in vivid purple. Dark purple buds open into violet-purple flowers with orange-brown speckling, with each flower cluster holding around 16 blooms! The flowers glow against a backdrop of leathery, dark green foliage on a dense, broad mound.Rhododendron x 'Lees Dark Purple' is excellent as a focal shrub bringing glamour to shady areas with acid soil and providing colour in late May and early June with little to no maintenance required. It can also be planted in multiples and grown as a hedge or screen. Ultimate height: 1.5m (4.9ft) to 2m (4.9 - 6.5ft). Ultimate spread: 2-2.5m (6.5 to 8.2ft)