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purple rhododendron

Searching for the perfect purple rhododendron to add vibrant colour and timeless elegance to your garden? Purple rhododendrons are prized for their striking blooms, lush evergreen foliage, and ability to create stunning displays throughout New Zealand gardens. Whether you're designing a colourful border, enhancing shady spaces, or simply looking for a standout shrub, purple rhododendron varieties deliver an unforgettable visual impact and are surprisingly easy to grow.

acer-nigrum-

Acer platanoides Nigrum

Acer platanoides 'Nigrum' is a striking deciduous tree valued for its large deep purple foliage and impressive shade creating canopy. The richly coloured leaves emerge dark and maintain their dramatic appearance through the growing season before developing warm autumn tones.

From $299.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 15.00 m
Spread: 8.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Japanese
fraxinus-purple-spire-2

Fraxinus 'Purple Spire'

5 from 1 customers

Fraxinus 'Purple Spire' is an elegant deciduous tree admired for its upright narrow habit and outstanding autumn foliage that develops rich purple and burgundy tones. This attractive shade tree is ideal for New Zealand gardens where space is limited but strong vertical structure is desired.

From $387.55

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 8.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' flower cluster.
Hoya pubicalyx 'Royal Hawaiian Purple'

Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' is a stunning evergreen climber prized for its thick glossy foliage and clusters of richly coloured star shaped flowers...

From$20.63
Acaena inermis purpurea with small purple leaves.
Acaena purpurea (Piripiri)

Acaena purpurea, commonly known as Purple Bidibidi, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover admired for its striking purple foliage and creeping...

From$10.95
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$18.95
rhododendron-princess-alice--2
Rhododendron 'Princess Alice'

Rhododendron 'Princess Alice' is a beautiful evergreen shrub prized for its elegant clusters of soft cream to pale pink flowers that create a...

From$28.91
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' specimen tree.
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain'

The Purple Fountain beech is a variety of European Beech tree that features colourful foliage and weeping branches. The glossy leaves emerge deep...

From$270.40
rhododendron-mount-everest-
Rhododendron 'Mt Everest'

Rhododendron 'Mt Everest' is a magnificent evergreen shrub admired for its impressive flowering display and lush dark green foliage. During spring...

From$64.79
Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer' stunning pink flowers.
Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer'

Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer' is a highly prized evergreen shrub renowned for its masses of soft pink flowers that appear from late winter into...

From$28.91
rhododendron-kings-cerise-
Rhododendron 'Kings Cerise'

Rhododendron 'King’s Cerise' is a magnificent evergreen shrub prized for its vibrant cerise pink flowers and attractive dark green foliage. During...

From$37.19
Rhododendron 'Kaponga' red flowers.
Rhododendron 'Kaponga'

Rhododendron 'Kaponga' is a beautiful evergreen shrub prized for its impressive spring flowering display and lush dark green foliage. The vibrant...

From$28.91
rhododendron-black-magic--1
Rhododendron 'Black Magic'

Rhododendron 'Black Magic' is a striking evergreen shrub renowned for its rich, dramatic flowers and glossy dark green foliage. During spring, the...

From$28.91
Rhododendron 'Ramapo' purple flowers.
Rhododendron 'Ramapo'

Rhododendron 'Ramapo' is a compact evergreen rhododendron valued for its masses of lavender purple flowers and attractive small foliage. Flowering...

OUT OF STOCK
rhododendron-anah-kruschke--1
Rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke'

Rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke' is a magnificent evergreen shrub renowned for its large trusses of rich purple flowers and dense dark green foliage...

OUT OF STOCK
Rhododendron fastuosum flore pleno shrub with purple flowers.
Rhododendron Fastuosum 'Flore Pleno'

Rhododendron fastuosum 'Flore Pleno' is an exquisite evergreen shrub admired for its dense trusses of double lavender-purple blooms. Flowering in...

OUT OF STOCK
rhododendron-purple-splendour-
Rhododendron 'Purple Splendour'

Rhododendron 'Purple Splendour' is a spectacular evergreen shrub renowned for its rich purple flowers and glossy green foliage. During spring, the...

OUT OF STOCK
Rhododendron Colonel Coen purple flowers.
Rhododendron 'Colonel Coen'

Rhododendron 'Colonel Coen' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its impressive flowering display and attractive dark green foliage. During...

OUT OF STOCK
Buddleia 'Royal Purple' purple flower spike.
Buddleia 'Royal Purple'

Buddleia ‘Royal Purple’ is a popular deciduous shrub renowned for its deep purple flower spikes and strong summer fragrance. Flowering over a long...

OUT OF STOCK
A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.
Phormium 'Dark Delight'

Phormium 'Dark Delight', also known as Dark Purple Flax, is a bold New Zealand native flax prized for its broad, upright leaves in deep purple to...

OUT OF STOCK
azalea-purple-glitters-1
Azalea 'Purple Glitters'

Azalea 'Purple Glitters' is a striking evergreen azalea admired for its vibrant purple pink flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The...

OUT OF STOCK
callistemon-purple-splendens-
Callistemon 'Purple Splendens'

Callistemon 'Purple Splendens' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its rich deep purple red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into...

OUT OF STOCK
Polemonium Bressingham Purple flowers.
Polemonium 'Bressingham Purple'

Polemonium 'Bressingham Purple' is a striking perennial admired for its finely divided dark foliage and clusters of rich purple blue bell shaped...

OUT OF STOCK
Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie' rich purple foliage.
Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie'

Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie' produces rich purple foliage, which is held densely off near prostrate stems. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and 1.2 m...

OUT OF STOCK
Mangave 'Purple People Eater' plant with purple leaves.
Mangave Purple People Eater

Mangave Purple People Eater is an impressive succulent that features a rosette of thick, purple leaves with a blue-green undertone. They are leathery...

OUT OF STOCK
Hoheria 'Purple Wave' foliage with green leaves and purple undersides.
Hoheria populnea 'Purple Wave'

Hoheria populnea 'Purple Wave', commonly known as Purple Lacebark, is a quick-growing, small, NZ native tree that features colourful foliage. The...

OUT OF STOCK
Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' plant covered in purple flowers.
Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' (Purple Rock Cress)

Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' is a beautiful low growing perennial that produces masses of vivid purple flowers in early spring. The colourful blooms...

OUT OF STOCK
Hoheria 'Purple Lace' trees for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Hoheria sextylosa 'Purple Lace' (Purple Lacebark)

Hoheria sextylosa 'Purple Lace' features young leaves that emerge purple and become dark green with age. The foliage is held densely on slender...

OUT OF STOCK
boronia-purple-jared-4
Boronia Purple Jared

Boronia 'Purple Jared' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its masses of richly coloured purple flowers and fine aromatic foliage. The highly...

OUT OF STOCK
iris-discovery-purple-3
Iris Discovery Purple

Iris 'Discovery Purple' is a beautiful perennial prized for its rich purple flowers, elegant upright sword like foliage, and reliable spring display...

OUT OF STOCK
Crassula multicava 'Purple Dragon' plant.
Crassula multicava Purple Dragon

Crassula multicava Purple Dragon is a succulent that grows as an attractive ground cover. It carries fleshy, green-yellow leaves, with a purple...

OUT OF STOCK
Bougainvillea 'Pretty Purple' flowers.
Bougainvillea 'Pretty Purple'

Bougainvillea ‘Pretty Purple’ is a dazzling climber that produces masses of vibrant purple bracts over many months, bringing tropical colour and...

OUT OF STOCK
lavandula-lavance-deep-purple-
Lavandula Lavance Purple

Lavandula Lavance Purple is a variety of English Lavender that grows as a compact shrub and carries masses of small, dark purple-blue flower spikes...

OUT OF STOCK
Acer platanoides Nigrum

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Acer, and Dodonaea, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search purple rhododendron

Why Choose Purple Rhododendron?

Purple rhododendrons are beloved for their profuse clusters of deep lavender to rich amethyst flowers, which emerge in late spring and early summer. These blooms attract pollinators and provide strong contrast against glossy green leaves, making your garden vibrant from season to season. Purple rhododendrons also thrive in New Zealand’s temperate climate, preferring filtered sunlight and acidic, well-drained soils. Their compact habit makes them ideal for garden beds, borders, and even containers.

Top Purple Rhododendron Varieties

If you're after a tried-and-true cultivar, Rhododendron Purple Splendour is a favourite among New Zealand gardeners. This classic rhododendron boasts large, deep purple flowers and a robust form, making it a standout specimen in both classic and modern garden designs.

Another popular option is Rhododendron ponticum. This variety is known for its enchanting purple blooms and adaptability in woodland gardens. It's a great choice if you're looking for a reliable, low-maintenance shrub that delivers beautiful colour year after year.

Complementary Purple Plants

To amplify the purple theme or create harmonious plantings, consider mixing purple rhododendrons with other purple-flowering plants. For instance, Polemonium Bressingham Purple adds delicate, fern-like foliage and masses of violet flowers, making an ideal companion in partially shaded gardens.

For aromatic beauty, Boronia Purple Jared offers deep purple blooms and a refined habit, pairing well with rhododendrons in borders and shrubby beds. If you're aiming for dramatic purple flowers in small trees, Magnolia Royal Purple (Royal Purple Magnolia) delivers fragrant, rich purple blooms and architectural appeal.

Planting and Care Tips

When growing purple rhododendrons, ensure the soil is acidic and well-draining. Mulch with pine needles or bark to maintain moisture and suppress weeds. Water regularly during dry spells, especially in the first two years after planting. Avoid full sun exposure; dappled shade is best to protect both flowers and foliage.

Deadhead spent flowers and prune lightly after blooming to encourage new growth and maintain a tidy shape. Purple rhododendron shrubs benefit from yearly feeds with a specific rhododendron fertiliser, promoting lush foliage and prolific flowering.

Elevate Your Garden with Purple Rhododendrons

Whether you’re planting a single purple rhododendron as a focal point or designing a layered, colourful border, these shrubs offer beauty, versatility, and enduring performance year-round. Explore standout varieties including Rhododendron Purple Splendour and Rhododendron ponticum, and consider pairing with Polemonium Bressingham Purple, Boronia Purple Jared, or Magnolia Royal Purple (Royal Purple Magnolia) for a garden display that celebrates the full spectrum of purple flowering plants.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Stromanthe Triostar and Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate' are classic choices, but adventurous gardeners will enjoy Rose 'Lavender Jewel', Lime Bearss, and Agapanthus 'Seafoam'.
–The Plant Company

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