Rhododendron 'Florence Parks'

Common Name: Florence Parks Rhododendron

Scientific Name: Rhododendron hybrid 'Florence Parks'

Zone: 4 to 8

Blossom Colour: Deep violet-purple with a prominent maroon blotch on the upper petal

Flowering Type: Abundant, star-shaped flowers in rounded clusters; blooms in mid to late spring

Summer Colour: Dark green, lustrous, evergreen foliage

Fall Colour: Evergreen; foliage remains dark green through fall and winter

Mature Height (ft): 4 to 6

Mature Spread (ft): 5 to 6

Exposure: Full sun in cooler climates; partial shade in warmer regions

Tree Type: Broadleaf evergreen shrub

Watering: Requires moist, well-drained, acidic soil; avoid waterlogged conditions

Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants in early spring before new growth emerges

Note: 'Florence Parks' is one of the most cold-hardy purple-flowering evergreen rhododendron varieties, tolerating temperatures down to -30°F.