Black Hat® Rhododendron

Bright pink buds open to lavender-purple flowers in early spring, set against leathery foliage so dark purple-green it reads nearly black in cold weather. This Proven Winners® selection, Rhododendron 'NCRX2', sold as Black Hat®, grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide in part shade, hardy from Zone 4 through Zone 8.

It is a triploid, which is why the early flowers last considerably longer than other early-blooming selections.

The small-leaved rhododendrons, sometimes called lepidotes, differ from the big-leaf types in more than size. They flower earlier, take more sun, handle cold better, and the foliage turns mahogany or plum through winter instead of staying green. The leaves are aromatic, releasing a spicy scent when brushed. In colder gardens they behave as semi-evergreens, dropping a share of the older interior leaves over winter while holding the newer growth at the branch tips. That thinning is normal and the plant refoliates in spring.

The compact size puts it in a container or a foundation bed. Acidic soil is necessary, roughly pH 4.5 to 6.0, with good drainage and steady moisture. Mulch the shallow roots.