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1–3
—
$69.00 ea
4-9
5% off
$65.55 ea
10-15
15% off
$58.65 ea
16-23
25% off
$51.75 ea
24+
35% off
$44.85 ea
30 in stock
Rhododendron catawbiense 'Nova Zembla'
Choose Nova Zembla if you want a larger evergreen rhododendron with strong red spring bloom in a sheltered, acidic bed. The tradeoff: it needs room and protection from hot afternoon exposure, so it is not a tight foundation filler.
Buy This If
You want red rhododendron flowers.
You have room for a broad shrub.
You can give it acidic soil.
Skip This If
You need a compact plant.
Deer browse heavily nearby.
The site stays wet.
PGNE Report Card
Category
Grade
Why
Landscape Impact
A-
The red spring bloom gives a strong seasonal focal point without needing a complicated planting plan.
Growth Rate
B
It fills in at a steady pace, but it will not give instant screening the first season.
Maintenance
B-
Once sited well it is manageable, but soil pH, drainage, and winter exposure matter.
Deer Resistance
C-
This is not the rhododendron we would lean on where deer are regular visitors.
Small Space Fit
C
It gets too broad for many tight walkways, narrow entries, and small foundation gaps.
Screening Value
B+
The evergreen foliage and full habit make it useful for soft screening where there is enough space.
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend Nova Zembla for customers who already have the right rhododendron conditions: acidic soil, filtered light, and enough space. If those are missing, start with the site, not the flower color.
Plant Facts
Mature Height
6.5 ft
Mature Width
6.5 ft
Hardiness Zones
4a-8a
Spacing
5 ft
Sun
Part Shade to Shade
Moisture
Dry to average
Growth Habit
Rounded, dense
Customers Usually Ask
Will it stay evergreen?
Yes, it holds foliage through winter, though leaves can curl in cold or dry wind.
Can it go by the front steps?
Only if there is generous room; otherwise choose a smaller rhododendron.
Does it need pruning?
Light shaping after bloom is fine, but heavy pruning usually means the plant is in the wrong spot.
Why Rhododendrons & Azaleas Work
Strong Spring Color Large, vibrant blooms create high visual impact early in the season.
Shade Tolerance Performs well in partial shade where many flowering plants fail.
Evergreen Structure (Rhododendrons) Provides year-round presence and foundation stability.
Selected for New England performance
We select rhododendrons and azaleas suited for New England conditions, focusing on cold hardiness, bloom reliability, and long-term landscape performance.
We use your zone to show which plants are hardy where you live.
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Jonathan Berenson
Showed up on time and planted it perfectly. I indicated a light we had to illuminate it and they placed it for optimal lighting. Worked fast and left a clean worksite. First rate!
Installation Service
Jon Kenyon
Really great website, communication and installation. Very happy customer and would recommend them.
Fairview Juniper
Anonymous
They delivered three trees: a big linden, a big poplar and a little spice bush with install on the big trees. The install guys were great and professional and fast. All the trees looked good with minimal damage.
Northern Spicebush
Joseph Sico
I went up there today from Quincy MA to pick up two Blue Wichita Junipers and they were absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Chris and everybody from Pro Growers of New England!
Wichita Blue Juniper
Aileen Maconi
The plants are beautiful and all 13 were consistent in height and width. And at a fraction of the cost of other garden centers. Having the team that delivered them do the planting was one of the best values I can think of. They did a great job from start to finish and even helped me with my watering system which they didn’t have to do!
They're very "leggy" right now but that's not unexpected in the fall. Otherwise, they look healthy, and we're looking forward to seeing them next year.