Purple Passion Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'Purple Passion') | Vibrant Late-Spring Bloomer

Purple Passion Rhododendron

3 Gallon

$109.00

1/4

Purple Passion Rhododendron

Rhododendron 'Purple Passion'

A compact rhododendron with vibrant reddish-purple flowers, white blotch, and maroon spots, blooming in late spring with glossy disease-resistant foliage.

$109.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Rhododendron 'Purple Passion' is a magnificent evergreen shrub prized for its large, vibrant reddish-purple blooms with striking white centers and delicate maroon spots. This hybrid rhododendron produces showy, ball-shaped trusses of 12-16 broadly funnel-shaped flowers (up to 3 inches across) in late spring, creating a spectacular display of rich, regal color that stands out brilliantly against the glossy dark green foliage . The violet-purple flowers exhibit wavy edges and deep reddish-purple inner tones with a distinctive white blotch, while the leaves are lance-shaped with rolled edges .

With a compact, rounded, vase-shaped habit, excellent disease resistance, and good cold hardiness, it is an outstanding choice for foundation plantings, hedges, woodland gardens, shaded borders, mixed beds, and containers. Its nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators .

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Glossy, lance-shaped, dark green, somewhat twisted leaves with rolled edges; ball-shaped trusses of 12-16 broadly funnel-shaped, wavy-edged, reddish-purple flowers (up to 3 inches across) with a white blotch and deep maroon spots, blooming in late spring .
Mature Height: 5-6 ft (1.5-1.8 m)
Mature Spread: 5-6 ft (1.5-1.8 m)
Growth Rate: Slow
Hardiness Zones: USDA 4-9
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade (protect from harsh hot afternoon sun)
Core Benefits: Vibrant reddish-purple flowers with white blotch and maroon spots, showy trusses, glossy disease-resistant foliage, compact rounded habit, attracts hummingbirds and bees.
Best Uses: Foundation plantings, hedges, woodland gardens, shaded borders, mixed borders, containers, specimen plant, mass plantings.

Q: When does Purple Passion Rhododendron bloom?
A: It blooms in late spring (mid to late May), with flower trusses lasting several weeks .

Q: How large does it get?
A: It typically reaches 5-6 feet in both height and spread after 10 years, with a compact, rounded, vase-shaped habit . It has a slow growth rate and can live for 40 years or more under ideal conditions .

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: It performs best in full sun to partial shade. It thrives in morning sun with protection from harsh hot afternoon sun. An east-facing location is ideal .

Q: What soil does it need?
A: It requires well-drained, highly acidic, organic-rich soil with a pH of 4.5-6.0. Amend with peat moss, pine bark, or other organic matter to increase acidity and improve drainage .

Q: Is it cold hardy?
A: Yes, it is reliably cold hardy in USDA zones 4-9, tolerating winter temperatures as low as -30°F . It is suitable for northern gardens where other rhododendrons may not survive .

Q: Is the foliage disease resistant?
A: Yes, it is noted for its pest and disease-resistant foliage , which remains attractive year-round. The leaves have good resistance to common rhododendron leaf diseases .