Rhododendron ‘PJM’
Rhododendron ‘PJM’ is a beacon of Spring and one of the first shrubs to burst into flower with bold fuchsia and bright pink colors. Rhododendrons flourish in the Pacific Northwest (the state flower of Washington is Rhododendron macrophyllum or the Coast Rhododendron). Rhododendron ‘PJM’ is one of the smaller shrubs in the rhododendron family and is one of the most cold-hardy and easiest to grow.
The story behind it is an interesting one. It was developed by Edmund Mezitt, the son of Peter J. Mezzit, a Latvian emigrant who fled the Russian czar and came to America in 1911. He and his wife Olga founded Weston Nurseries in 1923 in Connecticut. Their son, Edmund, had a passion for rhododendrons but was discouraged by the selection of offerings in the New England region. In 1939, he crossed Rhododendron carolinianum, a plant native to the Carolinas and Tennessee with Rhododendron dauricum var. sempervirens, an extremely cold-hardy plant gifted to his father by Russian missionaries. The result, Rhododendron ‘PJM’, named after his father’s initials, took the country by storm and made their nursery famous.
‘PJM’ grows in a variety of conditions – full sun, part shade – it all seems to work but some full sun is best for denser growth. A spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is an ideal location. The shrub grows about 3 – 5 ft. in height and is upright. Rhododendrons like an acidic soil with good drainage. Soils in the Pacific Northwest are generally acidic but if you feel yours need an additional boost, you can add some cottonseed meal to your planting mix. Ammend your soil with organic materials such as leaf mold, pine bark, hummus or compost. Plant them slightly higher than ground level, about 1/2″, and mulch with pine bark chips or pine needles. Water well, especially in the first year. One deep watering per week is good.
Today there are other varieties including ‘PJM Elite’ which has slightly brighter color and is more compact. Ask one of our greenhouse employees to show you our huge selection of rhododendrons.
