Rhododendron 'PJM'

This is not only one of the most popular of the evergreen rhododendrons, it is the hardiest. The flower buds are fully hardy at the Minne...Read Moresota Landscape Arboretum, Z4a, and in Calgary, Alberta.

Not everyone is fond of the lavender-pink flower color, but it does appear exceptionally early in the season.

The leaves turn dark purple in the winter. The foliage releases an appealing scent when handled, sweet and spicy.

There are at least four different clones sold as 'PJM', though they're hard (impossible) to tell apart.

Very common grown in the Twin Cities area, Minnesota - and popularity is still growing. It is fully zone 4a hardy too and performs better...Read More so far compare to the other few short leaf evergreen rhododendron that are grown for zone 4a - I have tried the variety 'alta' but it didn't last very long.

One big problem is the high disease risk that it carries (azaleas are worse) - mainly rot of its root system - the entire plant dies rapidly no matter how big it get - to me it happen mainly in early to mid Summer - poof most of the leaves fall off and whatever left looks really ugly.

It need a good watering all year (If winters are mild - Minnesota winters are unpredictable) but it doesn't like too much water. It will grow in shade but are more thinner and less flowers compare to in full sun but alas the problem is balancing the amount of sun vs shade (azaleas have the same problem so people usually put them on either sunny and open north side or if the nearby house shades the south slope somewhat)- the winter sun can cause damages to the tightly curled up leaves like some evergreens like dwarf alberta spruce, yews.

I see by some reports that it may be zone 3b hardy - one report from St. Cloud - and that the reports are for areas where there are few rhododendron cultivars that could be grown - mainly zone 3b to 5a.

One of my favorite spring bloomers. It has tons of beautiful purple blooms and everyone who stops by when it's blooming comments on how ...Read Morepretty it is. I have two planted-- one on an east exposure and one on the north. The east rhodie blooms a week or so earlier than the north one, but both have about the same amount of blooms. I've never had a problem with pests or diseases.

One of my other favorite things about this shrub is the scent of the foliage-- kind of like black pepper and candy mixed together. Sounds weird, but it smells great!

parentage: R. carolinianum x dauricum