Black Hat® Rhododendron
Shrub
- Early-blooming evergreen shrub!
- Foliage takes on dramatic purple-black tones in cooler weather.
- Purple blooms attract pollinators.
- Fantastic flowering compact hedge plant.
- Zones 4-8, sun/part sun/shade, 3’ tall x 3’ wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Patent #: PP #31,898
Common name: Rhododendron
Zone: 4 - 8
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 3 ' x 3'
Flower color: Purple pink
Foliage color: Black, purple, green
Season of interest: Year-round, but flowers in spring
Bloom time: Spring
Features: Winter interest, rare & unusual, Proven Winners, heat tolerant, evergreens, container plants, cold tolerant, best for beginners
Uses: Accent, background, border, container garden, cottage garden, foundation planting, hedge, massing, ornamental, woodland
How to Grow
Light: Sun/part sun/shade.
Water: Has average water needs.
Spacing: 4 to 5 feet apart
Fertilizing: An all-purpose garden fertilizer can be applied in spring. Check soil pH every few years to ensure that levels are correct for healthy growth, only then use soil acidifying products in your garden.
Winterizing: Planting in a protected area from harsh winter winds will help prevent winter damage. An application of mulch will help retain moisture during winter.
Maintenance & Pruning: Does not require pruning or deadheading. Prune only in spring after bloom, and just to shape plant or remove any dead growth.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
Great plants. They came packed perfectly secure. Leaves were green and in moist pots. I had to wait a week before I put in the ground and they are doing great.
UPDATE 2023: shrubs are thriving and blooming this year. Would definitely buy again from Great Gardens
The plant was healthy and packaged well.
Arrived alive and healthy.
I started out buying a few Heucheras. I was so impressed by the way they were packed and shipped that I bought a few more and some Yarrow. Then the $9.99 sale came and I had to buy more Heucheras and a few grasses. They arrived yesterday in perfect condition. I unpacked them and will be planting them today.
My only regret is that I didn’t come across Great Garden Plants years ago!
See you again next Spring!
I'm from Rhododendron country living in alkaline clay country, but I love my Rhodies so I thought I'd try. Fortunately, I knew enough to augment my alkaline clay soil with not just with an acid booster, but a whole planter of special Rhododendron, etc. soil. I found such soil from a PA outfit and now I have a very happy Black Hat sitting in the shade on the NORTH side of my zone 6a house.
My plants arrived dead the 1st time. They sat on a FedEx truck for 2 weeks. They replaced them but after asking for next day shipping, they sat on a FedEx truck for 2 weeks again. And again they were dead.
We apologize you received your plants not up to our standards. As we try our best to provide exceptional service, some factors like shipping and handling are outside of our control, and issues like this can sometimes happen. Please email pictures of the plant to [email protected], making sure to put your order number and name in the subject line so that we may provide the best assistance possible. Rest assured, we do have a 60-day guarantee on all of our plants. If you received your plants within that timeframe, we will be happy to apply your warranty once we receive the pictures. Happy Gardening!
I've ordered plants from many online sites and Great Garden Plants is by far the best. Their prices a re very competitive, and the plants always arrive quickly, well-packed and healthy. Once in the ground, they thrive and grow quicker than any other online plants I've received. THRILLED to have found this site!
I was very excited about the 2 plants I purchased. One didn't make it through the winter, but the other appeared to be doing very well once spring rolled around. I had planned to replace the first one that died but this spring the second plant went backwards almost overnight. I don't think zone 4 is an accurate rating for this plant. Perhaps would do better in warmer regions but it didn't do well for me.
Hello! Thank you for leaving us feedback. We're so sorry that you've had trouble growing your rhododendron in zone 4. It's hard to say exactly why your plant has struggled. Most likely it is due to soil condition and watering. Again, we're sorry that your plant hasn't survived. Happy Gardening!
This is the only plant I have ever received from GGP that looked withered when it arrived, and did not survive after it was planted. All of my other purchases have been exceptional, and I’m sure this was just an anomaly. I have contacted customer service and plan to order something different as a replacement. I’m confident I will receive another quality plant.
Hello! Thank you for taking the time to leave us feedback. We're so sorry to hear about your Rhododendron. Unfortunately, shipping can take a toll on some plants no matter how hard we try to protect them. Thankfully, this doesn't happen often! Our customer service team will be with you shortly. Thank you for your continued support. Happy Gardening!
Are RHODODENDRONS deer resistant
No, rhododendrons are not deer resistant. If deer are a problem in your area, you may want to take steps to prevent deer damaging your rhododendrons.
I,m in southern Minnesota, zone 4. I have a lot of shade but not much acidity. Would epsom salts work as an amendment in the soil? How often after planting?
I really miss rhododendrons and azaleas.
The best way to amend the soil for azaleas and rhododendrons is to use a bagged soil acidifier and apply it at the recommended rate.