Black Hat® Rhododendron
Rhododendron x 'NCRX2'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Black Hat® Rhododendron - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
---|---|---|
$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
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2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Black Hat® Rhododendron highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Late Spring
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Photos Provided ByProven Winners, Inc - www.provenwinners.com

Growing Zones 4-8
Watch the magic unfold right in front of your eyes each spring as this stunning plant emerges from its winter sleep! The rich, dark, dramatic evergreen foliage will be topped off with bright pink buds that will open to gorgeous lavender-pink blooms every spring! Black Hat® Rhododendron (Rhododendron x 'Black Hat' PP31,898) has an early bloom set that lasts longer than most Rhododendrons.
This compact shrub stands 3 feet tall and wide and makes such a bold statement in your garden! The cooler the weather the darker the leaves. Black Hat® features small leaves with a well-branched, dense habit which results in more flowers. Plant one for your Hummingbirds and pollinators who will add that extra, all-season 'wow' in your garden!
These broad-leaf evergreen flowering shrubs are space-saving ornamentals that are perfect for shadier gardens and sun. A Proven Winners® ColorChoice® selection, so you know Black Hat® will perform fantastically in your garden!
Planting and Application:
Place Black Hat® in your border as a solid hedge or part of a mixed-shrub border. Ideally sized to work in porch and patio planters and even balconies! A perfect foundation planting, edging hedge, ornamental curb appeal, and woodland and wilderness borders! The color is fantastic when used en masse. Use it as a year-round hedge along your front walkway.
They are magical wherever you plant them! Black Hat® will make a beautiful specimen or a stunning statement when planted in a mass in the landscape. Since they are tolerant of shade, they make a perfect plant to place by your foundation. Such an easy plant to maintain. They attract pollinators so be sure to watch the show! Entryways bordered by these will be astounding each spring and are sure to create an incredible first impression.
- Gorgeous Lavender-Pink Flowers
- Broadleaved Evergreen with Purplish-Green Foliage
- Blooms Early to Mid Spring
- Pollinator & Hummingbird-Friendly
- Foundation Planting, Containers, Accents, Edging & Specimens
#ProPlantTips For Care
Rhododendrons love partial shade in the hotter USDA growing zones 4 to 8 but full sun in all zones. They love acidic, well-drained soil and appreciate regular moisture and mulch to protect their shallow root systems. Black Hat® will bloom on last year's growth so only prune right after the flowers fade. As soon as your Rhododendrons are done blooming, grab your shears and only prune them to your desired size and shape so as not to disturb next year's blooms.
- Full Sun, Partial Shade & Afternoon Shade
- Moist to Moderate Moisture Needs
- Enriched Acidic Well-Drained Soil
- Prune Right After Flowering
- Easy to Care For!
Be sure to order your magical Black Hat® Rhododendron from our experts at Nature Hills Nursery! Hurry and order yours right away!
Azalea and Rhododendron Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to plant an Azalea bush?
Azaleas and Rhododendrons prefer partial shade (both dappled shade all day or morning sun with afternoon shade). Plant in a slightly acidic, consistently moist, enriched and well-drained soil location for best results. Their shallow roots dislike soggy soil but thrive with a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch over their surface.
How big does an Azalea bush get?
Black Hat® Rhododendron can reach around 2-3 feet in height and width in optimal conditions.
Are Azalea bushes low maintenance?
Azalea and Rhododendron shrubs are very easy to grow and low-maintenance. Water during drought, prune only after flowering and fertilize with an acid-loving organic, slow-release flowering plant fertilizer.
What is the difference between Rhododendrons and Azaleas?
All Azaleas are Rhododendrons but not all Rhodondendrons are Azaleas. Azalea tends to be smaller-sized with smaller leaves and stems, while Rhododendrons can be larger with stout branching and larger bloom trusses. There can both be either deciduous or broad-leaved evergreens.
How Do I Find Azalea and Rhododendron Bushes for Sale Near Me?
Make your life easier and your yard happier by shopping for Azaleas at NatureHills.com online nursery. You'll find a massive selection of flowering bushes for sale, including many lovely varieties!
Choose the right shrub for your area by first finding your growing zone by entering your zip code in the field above the Plant Highlights section on our product pages. Narrow down your options by plant hardiness zone, sun availability, and size requirements.
Place your order, knowing it's backed by the Nature Hills Nursery product guarantee and protected by Plant Sentry™, which helps ensure regulated plant materials aren't sent to prohibited areas.
Expect to receive your plants at the appropriate planting time for your growing zone when temperatures are safest to ship through and into.
What Shipping Options Do You Offer?
NatureHills.com works closely with our growers and nursery professionals to ensure we ship when it is most appropriate for your area. Our goal is to deliver the hardiest plants by avoiding extreme high and low temperatures. Check out our shipping schedule for more information and to learn our wills and don'ts when it comes to shipping plants. Find your Azaleas for sale here at NatureHills.com!