Rhododendron Praecox AGM

Early rosy lilac flowers liven up the garden during February - March. A lovely historic plant with dark green shiny leaves and an upright habit. Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
Flower buds open well if cut and brought inside for indoor decoration.
A tough plant with flowers which can tolerate a few degrees of frost, so it's well worth a place within the garden, but find some shelter for best flowering. Looks stunning when planted next to Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata', which flowers at a similar time.

• Recommended for lovely early flowers.
• Easy to grow.
• Ideal position: most garden situations but needs some shelter.
• Habit: Upright.
• Group: Rhododendron hybrid.
• Parentage: ciliatum (s) X dauricum.
• Hybridization date: pre 1900 (c. 1855).
• Bred by: I. Davies. Origin: British.
• Ideal soil: pH 4.5 to 6.0
• RHS Hardiness Rating: H6.
• How we usually propagate this plant: Cutting.
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Customer Reviews

By Mr mark Jones on 11th May 2023

"No flowers or buds but very healthy green foliage."

By DianaKeeley on 25th March 2021

"This rhododendron is a favourite, and my recent purchase was a beautiful bush, in excellent condition, just at the point of flowering. The Click and Collect arrangement was very well managed."

By SallyFilby on 14th March 2021

"Delighted to receive plants so promptly, well packaged and in good condition. Just waiting for them to flower . . . "

By NormaDicker on 23rd February 2021

"Delivery good. Very well packed & beautiful plant."

By SusanLewis on 1st December 2020

"Excellent quality is looking very healthy"

By Eiko Cunningham on 1st January 2020

"excellent, healthy looking. Buds are already. Came very quickly"

By Richard Macey on 1st February 2019

"I have ordered several rhododendrons from Millais and been very pleased with all of them. They arrive on time, looking very healthy with excellent protective packaging. A very good service all round. Regards Richard Macey"

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

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