Millais Nurseries
All Plants
Rhododendron Grumpy
This plant has lovely orange buds that open to cream flowers with pink edging and spotting in late May. It is the most compact of the 'Seven Dwarfs' series with excellent foliage and stunning woolly indumentum on the underside of the leaves. Height 80cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: yakushimanum X unknown hybrid.
Hybridization...
Rhododendron haematodes
Wonderful scarlet crimson bell shaped flowers in a truss of 12 flowering in May. It has a distinctive dense rufous indumentum on the undersides of its leaves. Height 50-75cm in 10 years. Probably one of the best lower growing species plants that needs to be well established before it will flower. It does need good drainage and some shade. Try to avoid using too much fertilizer as this will scorch the...
Rhododendron Halfdan Lem AGM
This one is a real stunner! Huge red flowers that have darker spotting that last well in the shade but fade to pink in the sun. Flowering in May it has handsome thick dark leaves and striking red buds in the winter. It has an upright habit and prefers plenty of light. Height 150-180cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: Striking flower and red buds.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: Most garden situations.
Habit:...
Rhododendron Happydendron Pushy Purple
New! Just launched at Chelsea Flower Show, where it was shortlisted for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2019
(H5) Deep reddish purple in bud, opening to pale pink flowers with a prominent green yellow blotch, and feathering to deep mauvey pink edging to the flower. The overall effect is mauvey purple, but really it displays 3 separate and distinct colours. The reddish purple colour fades...
Rhododendron Hoppy
Striking frilled lilac-pink flowers which form a spectacular truss. The flowers fade gently from pink through to white. A reliable plant flowering in May to June. This is the largest of the 'Seven Dwarfs' series and is another of our favourites. Height 100-140cm in 10 years. Okay it should have been called Happy, but that name was already taken. As this was named in the 1970's at least it wasn't called...
Rhododendron Horizon Monarch AGM
This is another of our favourites - lovely red buds open to large pale yellow flowers with pink tones and a small vivid red flare. Flowering in May this is an exceptional hybrid with a strong growing habit, it is dense and compact and has fabulous deep green foliage. Height 150-180cm in 10 years, slightly wider than it is in height.As with all yellow Rhododendrons, this plant does need good drainage...
Rhododendron Hydon Dawn AGM
This is one of our favourite plants with very attractive frilled pale pink flowers fading to near white in May. It has excellent foliage with fawn indumentum on the underside of the leaves, and silvery new growth. Height 80-100cm in 10 years. Raised by Arthur George of Hydon Nursery, Godalming.
Ideal for containers and small gardens
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: yakushimanum...
Rhododendron Hydon Velvet
Wonderful pale pink flowers in a compact truss flowering in mid May. This plant has fantastic foliage with cinnamon indumentum on underside of leaves. Makes a compact shrub that will attract lots of interest. Height 80 - 90cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: yakushimanum (s) X bureavii.
Hybridization date: pre 2000 (late 1960's)
Bred...
Rhododendron insigne AGM
A great plant with stunning pink bell shaped flowers with crimson spotting in May - June. It has distinctive pointed deep green glossy leaves with a silver/coppery metallic sheen on the underside. This is a tough plant with a neat bushy habit, particularly if grown in plenty of light. It does benefit from deadheading after flowering. Height 80 to 100cm in 10 years.
Recommended for good foliage and...
Rhododendron irroratum 'Polka Dot' BH2511
(IRRORATA H4-5) Flowers are white and heavily spotted deep purple, suffused pink. March/May. Hairy pedicels, ovary and style. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Rhododendron Jeanne Church
(H5) Large rounded trusses of pale yellow flowers with pink flush, and 3 red flares at the base. Early May flowering. An unusual NZ hybrid between R. mabeanum and Unique, displaying the compact habit of Unique and the big leaves of macabeanum. Height 125-150cm in 10 years. Requires moist acid soil.
Grown and introduced by the New Zealand Rhododendron Association, and registered in 1982.
Rhododendron Kabarett
Very attractive plant that has pretty frilled edge, wide open lilac flowers that are paler in the centre with a prominent wine-red blotch. It flowers in late May to early June. From Hachmann's Nursery in Northern Germany, it is very hardy to -24C. A great tough compact plant that will grow wider than tall. Height 140-160cm in 10 years. Also known as 'Hachmann's Kabarett'.
Recommended for: Tough...
Rhododendron Kabarett INKARHO
Now available on the Inkarho rootstock. Very attractive plant that has pretty frilled edge, wide open lilac flowers that are paler in the centre with a prominent wine-red blotch. It flowers in late May to early June. From Hachmann's Nursery in Northern Germany, it is very hardy to -24C. A great tough compact plant that will grow wider than tall. Height 140-160cm in 10 years.
Plant with plenty of...
Rhododendron Kalinka
(H7) Red in bud, opening to ruby pink flowers with ruffled darker edges. Fades pale rose pink with greenish yellow spots in May. Compact habit with dark shiny leaves. Height 100cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: 'Morgenort' (s) X 'Mars' x yakushimanum 'Koichiro Wada'
Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1969)
Bred by Hans Hachmann....
Rhododendron Kalinka STANDARD
(H7) Red in bud, opening to ruby pink flowers with ruffled darker edges. Fades pale rose pink with greenish yellow spots in May. Compact habit with dark shiny leaves. Currently the size of the well-branched head is about 30cm, and it will grow to around 75cm in 10 years.
These Standards have a clean stem of about 60cm and have been top-work grafted at that height, with a lollipop-like head of...
Rhododendron Karminkissen
(H6) Deep pinky red flowers, with a large calyx giving an almost double flowered appearance in late May. It also has a tendency to give a good display in September and October too. A tough plant with a semi prostrate habit. Height 30-50cm, and spread 50-75cm in 10 years.
• Ideal for containers and small gardens.• Easy to grow.• Group: Yakushimanum.• Parentage: Yakushimanum ‘Koichiro...
Rhododendron Kewensis (Bowood)
(H5) Rich rose in bud, opening to white broad funnel-shaped flowers, edged pale rose, with greenish brown markings. Late May and June flowering. This good clone selected from Lord Lansdowne's Bowood Gardens. Height 150-175cm in 10 years.
Parentage: Shown as R. griffithianum X fortunei, but this may not be correct.Bred at Kew Gardens c. 1875 by W. Binder.Awards: RHS Award of Merit 1907
Rhododendron Kokardia
Striking frilled lavender pink flowers with a prominent wine red blotch. Flowering in May this lovely plant has glossy green leaves. It is a dense plant that grows wider than tall. Height 140-160cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: Striking flower.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: Most garden situations.
Habit: Dense.
Group: Hybrid Rhododendron.
Parentage: 'Humboldt' (s) X 'Direktor E. Hjelm'.
Hybridization...
Rhododendron Lady Clementine Mitford AGM
A lovely old hybrid that really has stood the passage of time. Pretty peach pink edges pale to blush white in the centre with yellow-green spotting. Flowering in early June, it has attractive dark foliage, silvery when young. A very popular plant with a dense, broad habit that will tolerate some heat and sun. Height 140-160cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: Pretty flower and great foliage.
Easy to...
Rhododendron Laramie
**** New, to be launched at Chelsea Flower Show 2019****
(H5) A really good foliage plant, with creamy yellow flowers in early April. A rare hybrid of R. yakushimanum x R. macabeanum, with slight tomentum on the upper surface of young leaves, turning semi glossy in winter, with orangey indumentum underneath. Height 1.25-1.5m in 10 years.
This combines the wonderful foliage of 2 great plants into...
Rhododendron Lovely William
Stunning deep rose flowers in a loose truss in April to May. We like this plant for its low growing open habit and lovely rounded leaves. R. williamsianum hybrids have characteristic rounded leaves that give them that little extra interest in the garden. Bred by Sir James Horlick on Isle of Gigha, Argyllshire. Height 75-100cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group:...
Rhododendron Lupinenberg Laguna
(H6) Purple buds open to deep mauve flowers with green yellow speckling, in late May. An excellent neat and compact growing yak hybrid with the deepest mauve flowers. Bred in Northern Germany, and very hardy to -20°C. Height 75-100cm in 10 years.
Also known as Bohlken's Lupinenberg Laguna.
Lupinenberg translates to 'Lupin Mountain'. Developed at Bohlken's Nursery. Look out for further selections...
Rhododendron Lupinenberg STANDARD
NEW. Purple buds open to deep mauve flowers with green yellow speckling, in late May. An excellent very hardy yak hybrid with the deepest mauve flowers. Bred in Northern Germany at Bohlken's Nursery, and as yet unregistered. Lupinenberg translates to 'Lupin Mountain'. Currently the size of the well-branched head is about 30cm, and it will grow to a spread of around 75cm in 10 years.
Also known as...
Rhododendron lutescens 'Bagshot Sands' AGM
Selected clone of lutescens with larger deep primrose yellow flowers from February to April. This is an upright shrub with beautiful reddish bronze young growth. Introduced by Mrs R.M. Stevenson of Tower Court. Height 140-160cm in 10 years.
Recommended for its superb early yellow flowers.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: sheltered, dappled shade.
Habit: upright.
Group: Small Leaved Rhododendron.
Subsection:...
Rhododendron macabeanum AGM
This is one of the finest big leaved Rhododendrons for sheltered gardens. Huge yellow flowers often blotched purple with bright red stigma in trusses of up to 30 flowers flowering in April. The huge shiny leaves (up to 38cm long x 20cm across) have a wonderful thick woolly fawn indumentum on the underside. It has distinctive silvery young growth with lovely bright red bud scales. Probably one of the...
Rhododendron makinoi AGM (best narrow leaf)
A stunning plant with compact trusses of pinky white flowers in May and June. This selection has interesting long recurved leaves and dense fawn indumentum on the underside and lovely wooly young shoots. It benefits from staking and is certainly worth growing for it's wonderful foliage. As the name suggests, we think this is our best makinoi selection! Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
Recommended for...
Rhododendron Marcel Menard AGM INKARHO
Now available on the Inkarho rootstock! Deep purple violet flowers, with prominent greenish speckling in the throat. Flowering late May to early June this is an old but particularly tough variety with clean dark green foliage. Height 140-160 cm in 10 years.
Also known as Monsieur Marcel Menard.
Plant with plenty of good ericaceous compost to aid establishment.
Recommended for: Striking flower...
Rhododendron Marie-Louise Agius
(H5) Pink in bud, opening to creamy white flowers with soft pink flushing, and dark red blotch and spotting at base. Bell shaped flowers with wavy edging, during early April. Height 150-175cm in 10 years.
Parentage: yellow form of eclecteum (s) X Avalanche GroupRaised by: Edmund de Rothschild at Exbury Gardens in 2008, and named for his granddaughter.
Rhododendron Marion Street
(H6) White flowers edged pink, and fading to pure white during May. An excellent compact plant with pale green leaves, and felted with brown indumentum on the undersides. Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
• Ideal for containers and small gardens.• Easy to grow.• Group: Yakushimanum.• Parentage: ‘Stanley Davies’ X yakushimanum ‘Koichiro Wada’.• Hybridization...
Rhododendron Markeeta's Prize AGM
Fine large bright scarlet flowers with darker spots. Flowering in early May it has thick dark green foliage on a tall upright plant. Markeetas Prize is one of the best reds available but we do recommend partial shade to prevent the blooms from fading. Height 150-180cm in 10 years.This is a great tough plant that is ideal for hedging and screening.
Recommended for: One of the best reds.
Easy to...
Rhododendron Marlis AGM
Fantastic red buds open to rose pink flowers with paler centres and star-shaped white lines. This plant flowers in May, buds up young and is neat growing. This is a consistently reliable plant and one that we would recommend. Height 80-120cm in 10 years. The registered name is 'Hachmann's Marlis'.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: Mars X yakushimanum...
Rhododendron Maxine Childers
Beautiful waxy cardinal red flowers on a really special plant. It has textured dark green leaves with orange brown indumentum below. It resembles a compact R. strigillosum and has the same interesting bristly leaf. It flowers in April and young growth is reddish brown. We would recommend some shelter. Height 100-120cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: Strong red flower and wonderful foliage.
Plantsman...
Rhododendron Midnight Beauty
(H6) Almost black buds open to dark burgundy red flowers with a darker blotch, wavy edge and cream coloured anther. Height 150-175cm in 10 years.
• Recommended for: Tough variety and stunning colour.• Easy to grow.• Ideal position: Dappled shade in most garden situations.• Habit: Can be thin so plant with other Rhododendrons.• Group: Hardy Hybrid.• Parentage: ‘Frank...
Rhododendron Mrs T.H. Lowinsky AGM
Mauve buds open to orchid pink and fade to white with a conspicuous and distinctive orange blotch in June. Mrs T H Lowinsky is a very hardy and fast growing plant. Height 180-200cm in 10 years.She is ideal for hedging and screening. Vigorous and tolerant of heat.Also known as Mrs Tom H. Lowinsky.
Recommended for: Hedging/screening.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: Most garden situations.
Habit:...
Rhododendron Nova Zembla
Wonderful dark red flowers with darker spotting during late May to early June. These can fade to deep pink in strong sun. Great dark green foliage on a sturdy upright plant. Good for hedging and screening. It is also heat and sun tolerant, and very hardy. Height 150-175cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: Hedging/screening.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: Most garden situations.
Habit: Dense.
Group:...
Rhododendron ochraceum AGM
This is a rare plant recently introduced from Sichuan and Yunnan where it grows in thickets, forest, cliffs and on boulders. It has large freely produced rich or dark red bell shaped flowers during April-May. An interesting pale brown indumentum covers the lower leaf surface. We think it is probably one of the best new introductions of recent years. Likely height 60-80cm in 10 years.
Recommended...
Rhododendron ochraceum C&H 7042 AGM
This is a rare plant recently introduced from Sichuan and Yunnan where it grows in thickets, forest, cliffs and on boulders. It has large freely produced rich or dark red bell shaped flowers during April-May. An interesting pale brown indumentum covers the lower leaf surface. We think it is probably one of the best new introductions of recent years, this one collected by Cox and Hutchinson. Likely...
Rhododendron Old Port INKARHO
Now available on the Inkarho rootstock! Extremely attractive medium reddish purple flowers with a deep blotch flowering in late May. This is a vigorous old hybrid with good glossy leaves. Height typically 150cm tall by 180cm wide in 10 years.
Plant with plenty of good ericaceous compost to aid establishment.
Recommended for: Striking flower and great foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: Most...
Rhododendron oreotrephes 'Pentland' AGM
Wonderful clone with deep mauve flowers with a paler centre in April-May. A very desirable species with beautiful sea-green foliage which is highly recommended. This selection was obtained from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh by Peter Cox and introduced in 1990. oreotrephes Pentland has a tidy upright habit. Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
Recommended for wonderful foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal...
Rhododendron pachytrichum 'Sesame'
This selection has lovely white bell shaped flowers that are tinged purple in March and April. It has noticable brown shaggy hairs on young branchlets and petioles. pachytrichum Sesame is easy to grow but it's early young growth and flowers may need shelter from cold wind and frosts. Height 120 cm in 10 years.
Recommended for distinctive foliage and stunning early flowers.
Easy to grow.
Ideal...
Rhododendron parmulatum KW 5876
An interesting plant that varies in flower from white, yellow or red, sometimes bicolour and heavily spotted. Flowering anytime from March to May it has distinctive rugulose (wrickled) leaves. A rare species for the collector, which requires careful growing. Height 40cm in 10 years. It dislikes fertilizer and will scorch easily. You will note that the collector seed number appears in the name of this...
Rhododendron piercei
Gorgeous bell shaped fleshy crimson flowers with dark nectar pouches in March-April. This plant has shiny rugulose (wrinkled) leaves with a lovely wooly brown indumentum on the underside. With an open, spreading habit it can be slow to flower but is well worth the wait! Like all Neriiflora, avoid using any fertilizers. Height 100cm in 10 years.
Recommended for excellent foliage.
Plantsman range.
Ideal...
Rhododendron Pink Cherub AGM
Like it's name, this plant is a real cherub. Stunning red buds open to slightly frilled pink flowers with a deeper pink edging and speckles. The flowers fade to pale pink with age. An upright, vigorous but compact plant which is one of our favourites. Height 100cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: yakushimanum X Doncaster
Hybridization...
Rhododendron Polaris AGM
This tough little plant has red buds opening to ruby pink, ruffled flowers with a paler centre in May. It has good foliage and is wind, sun and cold tolerant. Height 80-120cm in 10 years.
Also known as Hachmann's Polaris.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
A tough variety that is easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: yakushimanum 'Koichiro Wada'(s) X 'Omega'.
Hybridization date:...
Rhododendron President Roosevelt
(H6) Conical trusses of bright red flowers fading to white in the centre. May. Probably the most popular variegated variety. Thick glossy leaves with bold flashes of bright yellow. Height 150-180cm in 10 years. Needs shelter from wind.
Rhododendron Pridenjoy
An impeccable truss of soft orangey-yellow flowers which glow above dark green glossy foliage in May. The young foliage is a lovely olive brown and the winter colour of dormant flower buds is dark red. This is a much admired and distinctive R.'Lem's Cameo' hybrid with an upright habit that performs best in sheltered gardens. Height 150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: Amazing foliage and pretty...
Rhododendron Prinses Maxima
(H6) NEW! Cream coloured double flowers, with prominent red spotting over all the lobes. Mid to late May flowering. A very hardy plant from Tijs Huisman, in Northern Holland. Height 150-175cm in 10 years. Shortlisted for RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year, 2016. One of 3 plants entered by Millais Nurseries that reached the top 20 selections of the Show!This is a very complicated cross involving...
Rhododendron Purple Passion
Wonderful large reddish purple flowers (50 x 75mm) with a white blotch and purple spots, and darker at the edges, 12-16 flowers on a ball shaped truss. Flowering in late May this is a good hardy plant with pest and disease resistant foliage. Height 150-175cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: reliable hardy plant.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: Most garden situations.
Habit: Dense. vase shaped.
Group:...