Bring bold, year-round color to your landscape with Rhododendron × 'Black Hat®', a compact evergreen rhododendron prized for its showy early spring bloom and striking foliage. In spring, rounded clusters of ruffled purple flowers open over leathery leaves, giving you a welcome burst of color when the garden is just waking up.

As temperatures cool, the foliage deepens to very dark purple-green with near-black tones, adding rich contrast through fall and winter. Its naturally dense, mounded habit makes it an easy fit for foundation plantings, mixed borders, or as a small-scale accent where you want dependable structure without a large footprint.

Plant it in acidic, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter, and keep the root zone evenly moist (never waterlogged), especially during establishment. A layer of mulch helps maintain consistent moisture and protects shallow roots. Choose a site with full sun to part shade; in warmer areas, give it protection from hot afternoon sun, while in cooler climates it can handle more sun and still perform well.

Because flower buds form on old wood, limit pruning to light shaping right after flowering if needed. With the right soil and moisture, you will enjoy long-lasting spring color and handsome evergreen foliage that stays attractive across the seasons.

Specifications

• Cold hardiness zone: 4-8 (-30 degrees F) - Contact your local extension to confirm hardiness if you are in a fringe zone (we cannot guarantee hardiness in fringe zones)
• Light: Full sun   Part sun   Shade
• Growth rate: Moderate
• Mature height: 24-36"
• Spread: 24-36"
• Evergreen: Yes

Shipping

FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.

Precise delivery - another benefit from shopping with us is that you know hpw to control exactly when your order will be shipped.

Shipping information that applies to all plants:
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- You May Specify Your Shipping Date
- Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
- Special Delivery Instructions
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