Rhododendron P.J.M. | The Morton Arboretum

Rhododendrons are shrubs with showy flowers in spring, usually in shade of white, pink, purple and red. Rhododendron P.J.M has a distinctive lavender-pink flower color and a burgundy fall and winter leaf color. Some types of rhododendrons that lose their leaves in winter are commonly called azaleas. Relatively few rhododendrons are fully hardy in the Chicago area or can cope well with its alkaline soils. The hybrid Rhododendron ‘P.J.M’. does very well in cold climates and is one of the hardier rhododendrons for the Chicago region. It is able to tolerate near neutral soils.

Family (English) Heath
Family (botanic) Ericaceae
Tree or plant type Shrub
Foliage Evergreen (foliage year-round)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Small shrub (3-5 feet), Medium shrub (5-8 feet)
Light exposure Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil
Season of interest mid spring, late spring
Flower color and fragrance Pink
Shape or form Mounded
Growth rate Moderate

Size and form:

Rhododendron P.J.M is a hybrid evergreen rhododendron reaching 3 to 6 feet high and wide.

Attracts birds, pollinators, or wildlife:

Spring flowers attract butterflies including the giant swallowtail, pipevine swallowtail, and spicebush swallowtail.

Bark color and texture:

Bark is a light straw-colored brown.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The leathery, evergreen leaves are smooth and dark green, changing to a purplish-red color in fall. They are 1 to 2 1/2 inches long and elliptical.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Lavender-pink flowers bloom in clusters of four to nine flowers in late spring.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Plants produce few or no seeds.

Plant care:

P.J.M. rhododendron is best planted in spring. It prefers a moist, acidic, organic-rich soil. It will tolerate a higher soil pH, but well-drained soil is a must. Locate in part to full shade in a protected site out of winter winds. Plants are shallow-rooted and will benefit from a layer of organic mulch to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature fluctuations. Water in dry periods. Pruning is rarely needed, but faded flowers can be removed to improve appearance. Avoid pruning after July when new buds are forming for next year’s flowers.