Here are some possibilities to consider as only you can say which is best: Anah Kruschke grows 5-6 feet high; Lee's Dark Purple gets about 6' high at maturity; Purple Passion grows about a similar size; for smaller and slower growers, consider Girard's Purple Azalea and R. Purple Gem. Consider going to Brookside Gardens in MD to see azaleas which grow well in your area.

I like Purple Splendor. I am in the colder part of Zone 8.

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Here's my Karen Azalea, it's second year for me, first year of bloom. It is I guess semi-evergreen, the leaves turned reddish in the winter and dropped about half of its old leaves in the fall, they turned a pretty orange to yellow before they did. I didn't know that it would drop so many, and thought it would die during the winter, but it's getting lots of new leaves. I originally had two, but one died. I'm trying to find my lone Karen a buddy, but the Lowes that I had bought it from doesn't seem to be getting any in this year. Oh well, I'll find her a friend someday.

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Karen

'Jonathan Shaw' is by far my favorite dark purple. I don't have a current picture loaded on my photobucket but this link may work. I am near botann in the colder reaches of Z8.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dark purple Rhodo

Thanks, I appreciate the responses, does anyone have ramapo? Saw it at a nursery, but it was pricey...

Ramapo is a great small leaved semidwarf plant. It is very hardy, probably the hardiest of the purples.

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Harold Greer of Greer Gardens says:
"Rhododendron ÂRamapo  (fastigiatum x carolinianum) 2', -20°F, EM, 3/4. Plentiful pale violet flowers dance amid this bushy blue-green mat of leaves. At Greer Gardens we have all become fond of ÂRamapo for its pleasing foliage color changes throughout the year, especially favored are the dusty blue new leaves following a shot of growth. This hardy dwarf can be grown in sun or partial shade, although in full sun it will maintain a more compact form. It is well suited for use in a low border or rock garden. Outstanding!"

Here is a link that might be useful: Greer Gardens