Millais Nurseries
Species Rhododendrons
Species Rhododendrons often have wonderful foliage, but are fairly specialist and are best grown by more experienced gardeners.
We pride ourselves in one of the best ranges of Rhododendron species in the country, and we try to propagate these from collectors' seed, or recognised good forms. Many new species Rhododendrons have recently been introduced, mainly from the Himalayas, and we include some for the first time. Many are well worth growing for their foliage alone!
Please note that the flower colour of some species can vary considerably from one clone to the next. eg R. campanulatum can flower from white to pink or deep lilac.
R. facetum 'Robert Clarke' F27105
(PARISHIA H4) Lax, scarlet bell shaped flowers in June-July. Collected at the high altitude of 3600 metres so it should prove much hardier than previous introductions. Height 150cm in 10 years. Requires moist acid soil.
Rhododendron annae
Lovely white open bell shaped flowers, usually with purple spotting, appear in May - June. This plant has interesting dark green narrow leaves and outstanding young foliage. A bushy upright plant that is one of our favourites. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for lovely habit and foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: sheltered woodland.
Habit: upright.
Group: Species Rhododendron.
Subsection:...
Rhododendron arboreum albotomentosum KW 21976
(H4) Intense scarlet red flowers without any spots, in neat compact trusses, April-May. Distinctive white spongy indumentum on undersides of leaves, petioles and branchlets. Collected by Frank Kingdon-Ward at about 3000m, on Mount Victoria, West central Burma in 1956. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Rare in cultivation, and formerly classified as a subspecies of R. delavayi.
This plant is relatively...
Rhododendron arboreum cinnamomeum 'Everest Reunion'
This plant has neat trusses of pink flowers in March-April. It has distinctive cinnamon red indumentum on the underside of the large leathery leaves. R. arboreum cinnamomeum 'Everest Reunion' makes a good show in our garden and was collected by Colonel Charles Wylie, (David's uncle) who was in charge of logistics and Nepali porters on the successful 1952 Everest expedition. This selection has attractive...
Rhododendron argipeplum (EGM/Borde Hill)
(BARBATA H4-5) Fine scarlet red bell-shaped flowers in a small truss. February-April. Bristly branchlets when young. Reddish smooth and flaking bark. Indumentum under leaf. Height 80-100 cm in 10 years.
Recommended for early flower and interesting bark and foliage.
Plantsman range.
Ideal position: sheltered woodland.
Habit: tree-like.
Group: Species Rhododendron.
Subsection: Barbata.
Introduction...
Rhododendron argyrophyllum 'Chinese Silver' AGM
Red in bud, opening to excellent clear pink bell-shaped flowers, with a darker flushing. Flowering in early May argyrophyllum Chinese Silver is an excellent clone that has attractive dark green silver-backed leaves. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for wonderful foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: sheltered woodland.
Habit: tree-like.
Group: Species Rhododendron.
Subsection: Argyrophylla.
Introduction...
Rhododendron bureavii AGM
Lovely white rose flushed flowers spotted crimson or purple. Flowering in May this is a superb foliage plant, with thick woolly indumentum on the underside of the leaves turning from white to rusty red with age. One of the most distinctive rhododendron species. Our selected clone is propagated from a large plant growing at Crosswater which has great flowers and grows in a neat rounded habit. It has...
Rhododendron campanulatum
Attractive white, pale rose or lilac flowers, in loose but fairly compact trusses. Flowering in April and May it has lovely glossy leaves up to 18cm long with a continuous fawn/rusty brown indumentum underneath. It makes a fine shrub/small tree. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for outstanding foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: needs careful site selection, good drainage and not too...
Rhododendron campanulatum aeruginosum
A rare, low growing form with purple pink flowers in April. Chiefly remarkable for its intense shiny green foliage with a bluish metallic bloom and an interesting silky buff indumentum on the underside. This is a choice plant that is slow to flower, but well worth the wait! Height 50-60cm in 10 years.
The lithograph is by Walter Hood Fitch. It is based on a sketch by Joseph Dalton Hooker whilst in...
Rhododendron campanulatum DM22
(CAMPANULATA H6) Mauve lilac flowers, in loose but fairly compact trusses. April and May. Glossy leaves, with a nice dark fawn indumentum underneath. Collected by David Millais, Nepal. Height 120-150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for outstanding foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: needs careful site selection, good drainage and not too much heat.
Habit: tree-like.
Group: Species Rhododendron.
Subsection:...
Rhododendron cardiobasis 'Pink Cloud' AC4221
(FORTUNEA H4) Large pinky white funnel shaped campanulate flowers with 7 lobes, late May-June. Distinctive large rounded leaves with a heart shaped base. Related to R. orbiculare. Height 50-75cm in 10 years. Requires moist acid soils.
Rhododendron degronianum heptamerum 'Oki Koki'
(PONTICA H4) Pink in bud, opening to white flowers with a deeper lining in a dense truss during April-May. A tough, neat growing plant forming a dome shape, with dark recurved leaves (130-180 x 40-55mm) and fawn indumentum on the undersides. Height 75-100cm in 10 years.
This plant was selected and named by David Millais from a batch of seed kindly sent by botanist Yuji Kurashige, who collected...
Rhododendron fortunei 'Hachmann's Best'
(FORTUNEA H6) Deep pink buds open to wonderful large scented trusses of pinky white flowers, tinged with a yellow centre. The flowers are wide funnel campanulate shaped with 7 lobes, in lax trusses during May and June. This is the hardiest scented species, but it still needs protection from wind and late frosts. It is a fast growing plant that will start flowering after 5 years, and it's definitely...
Rhododendron fortunei discolor AGM
Wonderful large fragrant trusses of pinky white funnel shaped flowers in June-July. This is an excellent late season tall bushy growing plant with an upright habit. It performs best in partial shade to preserve the flowers from summer sunshine. A fast growing plant that flowers after 5 years. Height 180cm in 10 years.
Recommended for lovely late scented flower.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: sheltered...
Rhododendron griersonianum F30392
Bright rose to scarlet long conical tapered flowers and growth buds. A late flowering variety in June - July. It is not particularly hardy, so needs protection from early and late frosts. Lovely long narrow leaves with pale brown indumentum on the underside. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.Historically this plant has been used much for hybridising red varieties. It was named after R.G. Grierson, a Chinese...
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'
A super selection with striking flowers that are white and heavily spotted deep purple suffused pink in March-April. It has hairy pedicels, ovary and style. This irroratum Polka Dot clone is always one of the most striking flowers on the show benches at Rhododendron competitions. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for striking flowers.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: sheltered woodland.
Habit:...
Rhododendron kyawii AC3049
(PARISHIA H4-5) Crimson red flowers in June-August. One of the very few species which flower this late in the season which is not white. A relatively tender plant from Burma and North Vietnam, so it does need shelter. A tall growing plant with hairs throughout most parts. Height 150-175cm in 10 years.
Sometimes described incorrectly as R. kwayii.
Sometimes pronounced as R. chaw-ii or R. kye-ii....
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 niveum AGM
Wonderful smoky purple mauve flowers in a ball shaped truss flower in April-May. A fine species with interesting foliage, young growth has downy white indumentum on the underside of the leaves maturing into a lovely fawn colour on the mature leaves. A rare plant from Sikkim that needs a little extra TLC and good drainage. Height 100 - 120 cm in 10 years.Looks good planted next to yellow varieties!...
Rhododendron orbiculare (Hydon BH1786) AGM
(FORTUNEA H6) Rose or purplish-pink bell shaped flowers in a loose truss. April-May. Distinct bright green rounded leaves with heart shaped base. Height 80-120cm in 10 years. Best in a fairly sunny spot.
Recommended for distinctive foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: most sunny garden situations.
Habit: compact and dense.
Group: Species Rhododendron.
Subsection: Fortunea.
Introduction date:...
Rhododendron pachysanthum 'Crosswater' AGM
A superb foliage plant with silvery blue covering (tomentum) on the upper leaf surface, and tan wooly indumentum underneath the leaves that is silvery white on the young growth. Distinctive leaves and free flowering pinky white flowers spotted red or green in April and early May form a neat rounded truss. Originally collected from Taiwan, our pachysanthum Crosswater clone is recognised as one of the...
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 platypodum
(FORTUNEA H4) Introduced from Sichuan. Pink funnel-campanulate shaped flowers in April-May. Distinctive wide oval pale green leaves, with a flat winged petiole. Height 150-175cm in 10 years.
Rhododendron Pubicostatum
(TALIENSIA H7) Trusses of light pink flowers. April-May. Excellent foliage with sparse brown indumentum on underside. Probably natural hybrid between R. bureavii and R. sikangense. Height 40-60 cm in 10 years.
Rhododendron roxieanum var. oreonastes AGM
Attractive white flowers flushed pink with delicate purple spotting in April - May. This is a wonderful choice foliage plant with dark narrow linear leaves that have an interesting buff indumentum on the underside. This is one of the species most prized by Rhododendron collectors, due to its fantastic foliage. However it can be shy to flower in some years and it dislikes fertilizer.
Recommended...
Rhododendron Species Collection (4 x 3 litre plants)
Picture for illustration only.
Here's a great offer for anyone who fancies a foray into the species world!.
We grow these plants in 3L pots and we normally sell them for £29.95 each. Heights vary from 50cm to 150cm metres tall in 10 years, variety depending, and often have interesting foliage.
This special offer is for online purchase only, but you can 'Click and Collect' at the checkout if...
Rhododendron suoilenhense (seedlings from AC 4458)
Picture of a 3 litre plant for illustrative purposes only
(GRANDIA H4-5) Recently collected from Vietnam. Creamy white campanulate flowers with maroon basal flashes, in a rounded truss, April. Large foliage with indumentum on older leaves. Early intoductions to the UK have produced tall, majestic and fast growing trees when grown in good conditions. Full hardiness is not confirmed yet, but it seems...
Rhododendron thayerianum
(ARGYROPHYLLA H5) Relatively small white campanulate flowers in June and July, in trusses of 10-20 flowers. An easy slow growing species, with thick, stiff, pointed leathery foliage, with thin fawn indumentum on the undersides, crowded at the ends of the branchlets. Shaggy rough flaking brown bark develops as the plant matures. Height 120cm in 10 years, eventually reaching up to 4 metres.
Epithet:...
Rhododendron tsariense
Gorgeous pinky white flowers with crimson spotting in April. A rare plant with superb foliage that has dense rufous indumentum on the lower leaf surface and sometimes on the upper surface. A lovely compact slow growing plant that needs good drainage to perform well. Avoid using fertilizer with this plant. Height 40-50cm in 10 years.
Ideal for small gardens.
Plantsman range.
Ideal position: sheltered...
Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Koichiro Wada' AGM
Pink in bud opening to delightful white bell shaped flowers giving the appearance of apple blossom, in the form of a compact truss in May. It features a distinctive white fluffy covering (tomentum) on the top of young foliage which washes off during the course of the summer, exposing the dark green glossy upper surface of the leaves. The lower surface of the leaves also starts off with a silvery indumentum...
