25%
off
Percent Off
AGM
Rhododendron Fastuosum Flore Pleno  AGM

Rhododendron Fastuosum Flore Pleno AGM

Item: HFFP

in stock In stock

Flowering Month:
May-June
Flower Colour:
Purple & Blue
Height After 10 Years:
175-200cm
Scent:
Not Scented
Interesting Foliage:
No
Hardiness:
Below -20 °C
Please select size option:
Was £26.95 Now from £19.95

add to wish list
updown
Collect in Store

This item is available for collection.

Home Delivery

UK mainland delivery from £8.95

Trusses of semi-double pale bluish-mauve flowers, with green-brown flare that is free flowering in late May-June. This is one of our favourites because the flowers last well, especially in some shade. It is fast growing, vigorous and ideal for hedging/screening. An excellent well mannered plant which we recommend to use instead of Rhododendron ponticum (the wild variety) which is too invasive. Height 180cm in 10 years.
The name is a bit of a mouthful that we affectionately shorten to FFP!

  • Recommended for: Hedging/screening.
  • Easy to grow.
  • Ideal position: Most garden situations.
  • Habit: Dense.
  • Group: Hardy Hybrid.
  • Parentage: catawbiense X ponticum.
  • Hybridization date: pre 1900 (and before 1846).
  • Bred by: Francoisi Brothers. Origin: Belgium.
  • Tolerant of more sun and wind.
  • Ideal soil: pH 4.5 to 6.
  • RHS Hardiness Rating: H7.
  • How we usually propagate this plant: Graft.
  • Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit.

 

Customer Reviews

By on
"Lovely plant and excellent service; thanks."
Star Rating 5
By on
"The plants I get from Millais are always healthy, well packed and delivered in a timely way. They are my go to nursery for Rhododendrons"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Fantastic. Special birthday present that really worked. "
Star Rating 5
By on
"Really thrilled with my plant beautiful colour and lots of new growth its very happy "
Star Rating 5
By on
"Great little plant still flowering away"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Lovely rhododendron- another one for my border. Always use Millais - they are fantastic ????"
Star Rating 5
By on
"good service"
Star Rating 5
By on
"I received a very healthy robust rhododendron which is in full bud ready for spring. Very prompt delivery and excellent packaging meant the shrub arrived in tiptop condition. Looking forward to seeing it in bloom in the spring. I won't hesitate to buy future large garden shrubs from Millais."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Strong and healthy plant. Prompt delivery and well packaged. Will definitely buy from you again. "
Star Rating 5
By on
"Fantastic plant, very impressed and great packaging. Thank you."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Excellent. Arrived soon after ordering, well packed and good plant. Planted after couple days and it appears to be growing well."
Star Rating 5
By on
"looks good but I have to see flowers"
Star Rating 5

Good to know

Our best-selling Rhododendrons, ideal for hedges, screening and large displays, growing to 125-200cm in 10 years.


Most of these plants can be described as ‘Hardy Hybrids’, the tough dense plants which are ideal for hedging and screening, or for planting within a border. Some can even be described as ‘Ironclads’ – tough plants that will withstand temperatures of below -20°C, and the coldest European winter. With care, it is possible to select varieties which flower from January until June, with flower trusses in a wide range of colours. With their dense downward pointing leaves, recent research has shown that they reflect sound waves and create some of the best natural sound barriers. They will take sun or shade, but dappled is best. Most hardy hybrids will bud up and flower as a 5 or 7.5 litre plant.


Also in this section are more tender varieties with delicate bell-shaped flowers that hang in small clusters, and sparser foliage. These are better suited to the more sheltered woodland garden, where they can add great character without creating dense plantings. Some woodland types have a more upright and open tree-like habit, so are not suited for screening purposes, but make great focal plants in the garden. Yellow and orange flowering varieties are always slower growing and more fussy, requiring excellent drainage. You won’t find these special plants in a garden centre, and they may take a year or so longer before they start flowering, but they will grow into choice long term plants.


Those flowering from December to March often flower erratically through the winter, with blooms opening in succession. This means that at least some blooms will avoid the frosts, and give some welcome flower to brighten up a winter’s day. Trees with overhead canopy can give a few degrees of frost protection to the flowers. Late flowering varieties also benefit from tree canopy to provide shade during the summer months when the sun is that much stronger.


Rhododendrons like moist acidic soil, with good drainage, and plenty of organic matter such as leaf-mould and added ericaceous compost. Plant no deeper than the top of the rootball, and dig in plenty of good ericaceous compost around the sides.  For a guide to plant spacing, use the height we give in 10 years as a guide to the distance between each plant. Spacing can be closer when planting a hedge, or if you are impatient. For planning a border, spacing should be one plant per 3-4m². Give a teaspoon of slow-release feed at the 5 litre size, rising to a handful full for mature plants. Tall hybrid rhododendrons are not typically damaged by deer or rabbits. They are not recommended for container growing, which they would outgrow in a few years.


Please note: Some varieties are wider than their height. Specimen size plants (eg 80-90cm) will be measured by their largest measurement which could be the spread of the plant.

For further advice, For further advice, see here

Size Guide

Size guide

The Basics

Ideal soil

Acidic soil, good organic content, pH 4.5-6.0. Inkarho range of rhododendrons will tolerate soils up to pH7.5

Sun or Shade

Light dappled shade is best for most varieties.

Shelter

Refer to hardiness rating. Give young plants protection.

Site Selection

Avoid close to trees, roots, invasive weeds, walls, hot patios, dry banks and waterlogged soils. Do not use weed matting or stone mulch.

Plant spacing

Use the height shown in 10 years as a guide to the distance between each plant. Allow room for plant to fill out. If planting closer for instant impact, be prepared to move plants after a few years.

Compost

  • 3 litre pot, dig in 10-20 litres of ericaceous compost.
  • 7.5 litre pot, dig in 20-30 litres of ericaceous compost.
  • 70-80cm specimen, dig in 60 litres of ericaceous compost.
  • 100-120cm specimen, dig in 120 litres of ericaceous compost.

Planting depth

Plant high in the ground, with the top of the rootball visible.

Feeding

Slow-release ericaceous feed recommended in March and straight after flowering.

Mulch

Recommended every few years.

Water

The key ingredient! Keep moist all season, especially the critical time at end of June for flower bud initiation. Tap water is better than no water. Heavy dose at least once per week in dry weather.

Drainage

Ensure good drainage in winter, especially with yellow flowering varieties. Avoid waterlogged sites.

Pruning

Rhododendrons and Camellias: Not normally required. Tidy wayward shoots after flowering.

Evergreen azaleas and Bloombux can be clipped into a low hedge.

Magnolias and Acers: Formative pruning when young to shape into a tree or bush.

Deadheading

Remove old flower-heads, particularly on young or weak plants.

For further advice see here

Delivery & Returns

Our website calculates the delivery charge according to weight and delivery location throughout the UK. To see these charges, please enter your postcode at the checkout, and you will see the charge vary as you add more items to your wheelbarrow.

Please see here for delivery information

Please see here for cancellation and return information