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AGM
Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Koichiro Wada' AGM

Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Koichiro Wada' AGM

Item: SYAK

in stock In stock

Flowering Month:
May
Flower Colour:
Light Pink , White & Cream
Height After 10 Years:
50-75cm
Scent:
Not Scented
Interesting Foliage:
Yes
Hardiness:
To -20 °C
updown
3 litre
Available stock: 194
£26.95 £22.95
updown
7.5 litre
Available stock: 66
£34.95
updown
12 litre
Available stock: 19
£59.95
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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 when young, before maturing into a dense brown wooly indumentum in autumn. This thick covering of indumentum means that new growth is usually resistant to aphids and fungal infections. Height 50-75 cm in 10 years.

This is generally accepted to be the best form of yakushimanum, selected from seedlings raised at Exbury Gardens. This is the FCC form (awarded in 1947) and was imported by L. de Rothschild in 1934 from K. Wada in Japan. It normally requires specialist grafting to propagate, but then is an easy grower, and performs so much better than seedling raised plants often offered for sale elsewhere. It is the parent of many excellent low-growing yakushimanum hybrids, but few compare to the quality of this original parent. We love this plant for its pretty flower and exceptional foliage.

This plant was selected by members of the RHS Rhododendron Camellia and Magnolia Group as their favourite Rhododendron, in a poll of members during their Centenary celebrations in 2016.

  • Ideal for containers and small gardens.
  • Easy to grow.
  • Ideal position: Dappled shade.
  • Habit: Compact bushy.
  • Group: Rhododendron.
  • Subsection: Pontica.
  • Introduction date: pre 1950 (1934).
  • Species distribution: Yakushima Island, Japan.
  • Approximate altitude: 1,200-1,800m
  • Ideal soil: pH 4.5 to 6.0
  • RHS Hardiness Rating: H7.
  • How we usually propagate this plant: Graft.
  • Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit.

 

 

Customer Reviews

By on
"Healthy plant arrived in good condition. No issues with ordering or delivery"
Star Rating 5
By on
"I've had one of these lovely, very slow growing shrubs for about 35 years in a large pot. Watering mishaps last year brought on its demise and I needed to replace it. The new plant looks extremely healthy and happy and arrived swiftly in perfect condition. I feel very happy indeed with it and just hope that I have a few years left to enjoy its development."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Excellent plants which arrived on time. Good service"
Star Rating 5
By on
"We bought two of these Rhododendron yakushimanums. Both arrived safely and in good condition. We prepared the ground accordingly and planted them without issues. Time will tell how they fare over Winter and into next Spring."
Star Rating 4
By on
"Very pleased with my plant that my grandson picked up for me. It is now in the ground and I look forward to seeing it next Spring!"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Excellent Quality Plant"
Star Rating 5
By on
"I'm really pleased with my rhody, it's a good, strong, tightly grown specimen which has grown away strongly since being planted just a few weeks ago"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Excellent quality plants, quick delivery, well packed and at a reasonable price. Thank you"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Lovely plant which arrived on time and in great condition. Very pleased with the service and standards of this nursery. Many thanks."
Star Rating 5
By on
"beautiful plant excellont service"
By on
"Following initial concerns I am now both delighted with plant and your company"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Great service, beautiful healthy plant."
Star Rating 5
By on
"A very attractive plant when in flower and with unusual foliage. Received quickly and in good condition.."
Star Rating 5
By on
"As always, a well grown plant ,in excellent health, delivered promptly and packaged expertly. Thank you."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Brilliant plant, expertly packed....just what I expected!"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Good quality plant supplied"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Arrived in perfect condition, a luxuriant rhododendron that has taken well in my garden."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Lovely choice plant arrived in great condition and now putting out new leaves. Very good advice also from Millais regarding best quality Bulrush ericaceous compost - so important, as my soil is alkaline. Called Bulrush (who are in N Ireland) and they gave me names of three suppliers in Norfolk. "
Star Rating 5
By on
"Well Packaged, just as described .... thank you"
Star Rating 5
By on
"High quality plant delivered in great condition"
Star Rating 5
By on
"very healthy looking plant, well packed"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Excellent quality. Delighted"
By on
"Excellent to find a source of this most beautiful plant. I had a specimen many years ago that regularly flowered both spring and autumn, and am looking forward to testing my memory with a fresh one. And collecting from the beautifully laid out nursery puts it a must repeat too on my list."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Two excellent specimens of 'Rhododendron yakushhimanum 'Koichiro Wada' , which arrived promptly in a wonderful condition, with superb service and advice by Millais. "
Star Rating 5
By on
"A good healthy plant, well packaged and promptly delivered. As always. Thank you."
Star Rating 5
By on
"lovely, healthy plants. I love Millais Nursery and am repeat customer"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Plant arrived in good condition, and was larger than expected. This species probably doesn't look its best in Autumn, but it has established well after planting, and looks set to produce some flowers next year."
Star Rating 4
By on
"A fine quality plant in excellent condition. Covered in buds for the spring. I have recently started buying plants from this nursery and have been impressed with every specimen. Top notch quality and service."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Very good healthy plant"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Beautiful healthy looking plant, arrived promptly."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Am over the moon with the purchase of this in my opinion 'king of rhododendrons, a superb plant."
Star Rating 5
By on
"We received a very healthy plant, larger than we anticipated, and securely and robustly packaged. Excellent service"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Plants as always excellent well packed and very fast service would highly recommend."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Really great specimens which came within a few days. Excellent service and delivery. Moreover, condition of plants and sizes have surprised on the upside and the planted specimens are already thriving. Highly recommend this supplier and the Koichiro Wada specifically - beautiful flowing Rhodo."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Very happy with my purchase. Plant was well packaged and in excellent condition. Will happily purchase again. "
Star Rating 5
By on
"Lovely healthy plant, flowering well already and new buds forming."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Very pleased; healthy plant, quick delivery!"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Plant quality;size,root-ball and condition overall. Packaging excellent ."
Star Rating 5
By on
"Plant quality;size,root-ball and condition overall. Packaging excellent ."
Star Rating 5
By on
"My friends were very pleased with their gift, Rhododendrum yakushimanum ‘Koichiro Wada ‘AGM. The quality of the plant, and it’s healthy and interesting foliage. They can’t wait for it to blossom, such a beautiful white blossom."
By on
"nice rounded plant blooms now starting to break"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Very good plant, just waiting for it to flower. Excellent service. Thank you."
Star Rating 5
By on
"as usual first class plants in superb condition. look absolutely fabulous in a small to medium garden."
Star Rating 5
By on
"All plants from your nursery have arrived superbly packaged and, in perfect condition, they look beautiful, thank you, I am just about to order more. AM"
Star Rating 5
By on
"Really pleased with my plant which is my favourite rhododendron, I have subsequently received rhododendron Golden Everest, Also very pleased with that."
Star Rating 5
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"Great quality plants and fast dispatch"
Star Rating 5

Good to know

Dome-shaped plants ideal for pots and small borders, growing to 75-100cm (2.5-3 foot) in 10 years. These are mainly of Rhododendron williamsianum and Rhododendron yakushimanum hybrids.

R. williamsianum hybrids normally flower in April and are tolerant of slightly higher pH, which can be useful for those growing on neutral soils. They have small clusters of bell-shaped flowers which hang down, which contrast well with other rhododendrons. Their rounded leaves makes them a great foliage plant all year, and softens the landscape in larger planting schemes. Some varieties can be shy to flower as a young plant, but will normally flower in the year after planting out.



'Yak' hybrids mainly flower in May, with a small rounded truss of flowers, often bright in colour when first opening, but always fading paler over the next couple of weeks. These are typically very tough plants, which are ideal for the front of border, or for more formal situations Alternatively, yak hybrids are suitable for growing in pots and containers; re-pot every 3 years for best performance. Most varieties will bud up and flower as a 3 litre plant.


They will take sun or shade, but dappled is best. Compact 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, so this is about 1 plant per m² Give a teaspoon of slow-release feed at the 3 litre size, rising to a small handful full for mature plants. They are not normally nibbled by deer and rabbits. Pruning is not recommended, but wayward shoots can be cut back straight after flowering to improve shape.

Please note: Most of these varieties are dome shaped plants, often wider than their height. Specimen size plants (eg 80-90cm) will be measured by their largest measurement which is typically the spread of the plant.


For further advice, For further advice, see here

Size Guide

Size guide


picture for example only

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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