Millais Nurseries
Rhododendrons
Rhododendrons originate mainly from the Himalayas where about 600 different Rhododendron species can be found. These range from those in the Tender section at lower elevations around 2500 metres. Big Leaved Species with their massive leaves up to 75cm long, grow in conifer forests around 3000metres. Further up the mountains as the tree line thins towards 3500m, a wide range of interesting Species and Small Leaved Rhododendrons can be found sheltering amongst Juniper and alpine meadows. Above 3500m, Dwarf Rhododendrons grow in alpine conditions with snow cover for much of the year.
From these humble beginnings, plant breeders have developed more and more exotic hybrids over the past 100 years, with about 20,000 registered varieties. We have selected the best, and these Tall and Compact hybrids are perfect for any garden situation.
Compact Rhododendron Foliage Collection (4 x 3 litre plants)
Picture for example only. Please see descriptions below.
This is a lovely collection of 4 compact growing Rhododendrons each one has been selected for its interesting foliage, giving you the customer more than one season of interest. Once the plants have flowered, they will start to produce new shoots, most have wonderful indumentum (fluff) on the lower surface of the leaves and tomentum on the upper...
Dwarf Rhododendron Arctic Tern AGM
(H5) Very attractive crowded trusses of pure white Ledum type flowers with a slightly green throat. Leaves are light green and thin and narrow. A most unusual late flowering compact dwarf for May-June. Height 50-60cm in 10 years.Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting in containers. This...
Dwarf Rhododendron Baden Baden AGM
Wonderful deep cherry red waxy textured flowers with some spotting and veining, in April. A very floriferous little plant bred by Hobbie and named after the German town. Leaves are dark green and distinctive, being pointed and twisted. This plant prefers to grow in cooler locations rather than hot sunny positions. Its habit is wider than tall, with a height of 40-60cm in 10 years.
Dwarf Rhododendrons...
Dwarf Rhododendron Bloombux INKARHO
(H6) A wonderful flowering alternative to troublesome box hedging! Lots of clusters of soft pink flowers in June. The plant responds well to trimming after flowering. Height 50-75cm in 10 years. Easy to grow in most soils.
This superb new variety was raised by the INKARHO syndicate as 'Microhirs3' with PBR Plant Breeders Rights. It is suitable for growing on most garden soils, from very acidic...
Dwarf Rhododendron Bloombux Magenta INKARHO
(H6) A wonderful flowering alternative to troublesome box hedging! Lots of clusters of pink flowers in June. The plant responds well to trimming after flowering. Height 50-75cm in 10 years. Easy to grow in most soils.
This superb new variety was raised by the INKARHO syndicate as 'Microhirs3' with PBR Plant Breeders Rights. It is suitable for growing on most garden soils, from very acidic up...
Dwarf Rhododendron calostrotum 'Gigha' AGM
calostrotum Gigha has beautiful and interesting rose-crimson flat saucer shaped flowers which stand above the wonderful silver-grey foliage in April-May. A lovely free flowering and neat plant. Height 30-40cm in 10 years. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios. This plant needs care, so it's not recommended for...
Dwarf Rhododendron Carmen AGM
Stunning waxy dark red flowers in loose trusses in April. It has small glossy green leaves and we believe is one of the deepest red dwarfs available. Slow growing with a height 40cm and spread of 50cm in 10 years. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting in containers. This variety does...
Dwarf Rhododendron Crane AGM
With lovely pure creamy white flowers this pretty plant flowers in April. It is tough and very floriferous - a very popular plant that forms a neat dwarf mound. Height 40-60cm in 10 years. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting in containers. This is a tough plant and we think one of...
Dwarf Rhododendron Cream Crest
Lovely bright creamy yellow flowers in April. With a dense compact spreading habit this plant has great glossy deep green foliage. The flowers may need protection from spring frosts. Height 40-50cm in 10 years. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting in containers.
Recommended for...
Dwarf Rhododendron dendrocharis
(MOUPINENSIA H5) Relatively large rose-pink widely funnel shaped flowers in March-April. These contrast with its small elliptic dark leaves, which are densely scaly on the lower surface. A neat growing dwarf with a height of 40cm in 10 years.
This plant was found in Sichuan growing epiphytically on conifers and broad-leaved trees, and on cliffs and rocks. It has only been introduced relatively recently,...
Dwarf Rhododendron Egret AGM
Masses of pretty dainty white bell-shaped flowers in April. The flowers stand up high above the glossy mid green foliage. This is a compact neat growing plant, best in some sun to flower freely. Height 30-45cm in 10 years. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting in containers. One of...
Dwarf Rhododendron fastigiatum 'Blue Steel' AGM
Striking deep lavender blue flowers which smother the plant in April. R. fastigiatum Blue Steel is a tough plant with wonderful silvery blue young growth all summer. The foliage is particularly attractive, having pale green scales on the upper surface. Height and spread 30cm in 10 years. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing...
Dwarf Rhododendron ferrugineum
Known as the pink 'Alpenrose' from Central Europe. This plant has lovely deep crimson-pink flowers in June. Useful for it's late flowering and hardiness. It will not tolerate high temperatures and needs good drainage. Height 40cm in 10 years. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting in...
Dwarf Rhododendron Gertrud Schale
(H5) Large waxy scarlet red flowers, in small trusses during April. Deep green leaves on a compact spreading plant, and one of the hardiest 'repens' hybrids, bred by D.G. Hobbie in Northern Germany. Height 25-50cm in 10 years.
Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting in containers.
Also...
Dwarf Rhododendron Gristede AGM
Stunning clusters of violet blue funnel-shaped flowers in April. This lovely plant has good shiny green winter's particularly hardy and easy to grow. Height 60-80cm in 10 years.
Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting in containers. We love this plant and think it is one the best blue...
Dwarf Rhododendron groenlandicum 'Helma'
(LEDUM H7) A selected floriferous form of this dwarf plant with distinctive inflorescences of small white flowers, at the ends of woolly shoots. The flower clusters are made up of 10-40 tiny white fragrant and sticky star shaped flowers, forming a prominent cluster between 30-50mm in diameter. The foliage is pale green, with a wooly mat of hairs (indumentum) on the underside which darken to rusty...
Dwarf Rhododendron Maricee
(H5) Cream buds open to white long-lasting daphne-like flowers. April. Tiny, narrow leaves on a dense, compact plant. An easy and satisfactory plant to grow. Height 30-40cm in 10 years.
Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios.
Recommended for rock gardens and front of borders.
Plantsman range.
Ideal position:...
Dwarf Rhododendron Peter Bee
(H6) Lovely funnel shaped pale yellow flowers, green in bud. Fine pale green narrow leaves. Flowering in April. A choice compact growing plant, raised by Warren Berg in America, and named by Peter Cox, Scotland. Height 25-50 cm in 10 years.
Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting...
Dwarf Rhododendron primuliflorum 'Doker La' AGM
This is an excellent clone with pink daphne like flowers in May. It has an upright habit and aromatic narrow lanceolate leaves. Height 40cm in 10 years. primuliflorum Doker La prefers moist neutral soil. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios. We think this is one of the best clones available. The RHS awarded...
Dwarf Rhododendron Ptarmigan AGM
Gorgeous pure white and free-flowering with contrasting dark brown anthers. It looks like a patch of snow in March - April. Small dark foliage on a spreading plant that is tough. Height 40-60cm in 10 years. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting in containers. One of the 'bird' series...
Dwarf Rhododendron Ramapo AGM
An exceptionally hardy American hybrid that we have nick-named Rambo on the nursery! It has good violet blue flowers in April, and attractive blue-green leaves all growing season. It is so tough it will take full sun. Height 40-60cm in 10 years.
Unusually for a dwarf variety this plant is heat tolerant. It is a tough plant that we are rather fond of.
Recommended for containers, small gardens and...
Dwarf Rhododendron Sacko
Excellent deep electric blue-purple flowers, freely produced in rounded trusses in April. This plant is a tough, neat and compact grower with good clean glossy foliage. Height 30-50cm in 10 years. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting in containers. This is a tough and easy plant and...
Dwarf Rhododendron Sarled AGM
(H6) Light pink buds open to creamy-white long-lasting daphne-like flowers in May. Tiny, narrow leaves on a dense, compact plant. An easy and pleasing plant to grow, but avoid full sun. Height 30-50cm in 10 years.
Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected heat from South facing walls and patios, particularly if planting in containers.
• Recommended...
Dwarf Rhododendron Seta
(H5) Pale pink tubular bell shaped flowers in March-April. The effect is almost two tone, ivory white in the centre with a deeper edging. Floriferous small flowers on a plant of upright habit. Dark green small ovate or elliptic leaves, with a dull upper surface, and with golden brown scales below. Height 75-100cm in 10 years.
Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do...
Dwarf Rhododendron Shamrock
Image supplied and owned by Osberton Nurseries
(H6) Trusses holding between 5 to 9 funnel shaped pale-yellow flowers in April/May. A neat compact variety with a spreading habit great for front of boarders or pots. Prefers a sheltered position in full sun to partial shade. Height & width 50-75cm in years. Requires moist acid soil.
Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun, but they hate too much...
Evergreen Azalea Juliette STANDARD
(H6) Soft red to salmon red flower, 3-4cm across, in late May. Also known as Hachmann’s Juliette in international registers, is a Japanese azalea bred by Holger Hachmann in 1990 as a cross between Squirrel and Chippewa, introduced in 2004. The evergreen leaves are small, narrowly elliptic, dark green, and glossy. These Standards have a clear stem of approximately 15cm, with a nice colourful head...
Hybrid PALLET DEAL - (24 x 5 litre plants)
Picture for example only. Please see descriptions below.
Here is a fantastic PALLET DEAL of 24 choice 5 litre sized Rhododendrons that will grow to 1.5 - 1.75 metres in 10 years. We have grown these plants in 5 litre pots here on our nursery and they are about 40cm in size, and nice and bushy. They are first grade plants and look great now, and will soon grow to make a wonderful colourful addition...
Hybrid Rhododendron Collection (4 x 5 litre plants)
Picture for example only. Please see descriptions below.
This is a lovely collection of 5 litre sized Rhododendrons that will grow to 1.5 - 1.75 metres in 10 years. We have grown these plants in 5 litre pots here on our nursery and they are about 40cm in size, and nice and bushy. They are first grade plants and look great now, and will soon grow to make a wonderful colourful addition to your garden....
Rhododendron 'Dame Edith Sitwell'
(MADDENIA H4) Lily-shaped fragrant white flowers, tinged pink, with yellowish centre. Beautiful in April-May. Height 75-100cm in 10 years. Thought to be a selection of R. lindleyi, R. Dame Edith Sitwell is a plant for very sheltered gardens, or cool conservatories where its scent will fill the air. Needs a well drained compost. Hard prune straight after flowering to maintain shape and prevent legginess.
It...
Rhododendron (yak) Anuschka INKARHO
Now available on the Inkarho rootstock! Striking bright red buds open to gorgeous rosey pink flowers in late May. A lovely very hardy yakushimanum hybrid that has attractive dark green foliage. Height 75-100cm in 10 years. Plant with plenty of good ericaceous compost to aid establishment.
Recommended for: Tough and reliable variety.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: Most garden situations.
Habit:...
Rhododendron (yak) Kalinka INKARHO
Now available on the Inkarho rootstock! This lovely plant is red in bud, opening to ruby pink flowers with ruffled darker edges. It fades to pale rose pink with greenish yellow spots in May. It has a compact habit and dark shiny leaves with thin brown indumentum on the underside. Height 100cm in 10 years.Plant with plenty of good ericaceous compost to aid establishment.
Ideal for containers and...
Rhododendron (yak) Laura INKARHO
Good pure yellow flowers without any markings on a compact and neat growing yakushimanum hybrid flowering in May. Raised in Germany this is a tough plant that will take any UK weather. Yellow yakushimanum varieties are rare, but this variety is certainly worth a try. Height 100-125cm in 10 years. As with all yellow Rhododendrons, this plant does need good drainage (but not dry conditions!). Plant...
Rhododendron (yak) Lupinenberg Laguna INKARHO
(H6) Now available on the Inkarho rootstock! Purple buds open to deep mauve flowers with green yellow speckling, in late May. An excellent neat and compact growing plant, and one of the deepest mauve yakushimanum hybrids. 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...
Rhododendron (yak) Red Star (Bohlkens Roter Stern) INKARHO
(H6) Deep red buds opening to rich red flowers with a lighter centre in mid May.This lovely compact variety has deep matt green leaves and grows to be 90 – 125cm in 10 years. Plant with a good ericaceous compost. Requires moist free draining soil.
• Easy to grow.• Ideal position: Most garden situations• Habit: Dense.• Group: Hybrid.• Parentage: Anushka x Collective...
Rhododendron (yak) Schneekrone AGM INKARHO
Now available on the Inkarho rootstock! Beautiful white flowers tinged soft pink and spotted ruby red, in a ball shaped truss. Flowering in May we think this is one of the best white yaks (compact Rhododendrons) for cold climates. Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
The English translation is Snow Crown, and it certainly has a majestic flower!
Plant with plenty of good ericaceous compost to aid establishment.
Recommended...
Rhododendron Actress
(H3) Scented white flowers, stained red on the outside about 3 flowers per truss in April. Tender, so plant in sheltered spot or cool greenhouse. Prune hard after flowering. Height 75-100cm in 10 years.
This plant was recommended to us by Jim Gardiner, former Curator at Wisley, and Vice President of the RHS, who grew this at his house and kindly gave us some cuttings.
Raised by General Eric Harrison...
Rhododendron Airy Fairy
(H5) A beautiful early flowering plant with glowing pink flowers and reddish spotting on the upper lobe, flowering around March. Glossy olive green leaves, almost deciduous in winter on a plant of upright habit. Height 100-125cm in 10 years. The flowers are widely funnel-shaped, with wavy lobes, about 4 cm across, in clusters of 3 or more. Leaves narrowly elliptic, about 5-7 cm long.
This plant grows...
Rhododendron Albert Schweitzer AGM
Lovely deep pink buds open to rosy-pink flowers with a dark reddish blotch in late May. This is a tough and hardy variety with an upright habit. It is named after Albert Schweitzer, the missionary working in Africa. Height 150-180cm in 10 years. This is a great tough plant that is ideal for hedging and screening.
Recommended for: Hedging/screening, tough variety.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position:...
Rhododendron ambiguum 'Jane Banks'
Clear primrose yellow flowers with greenish spots on the upper lobes in April - May. It is a tough, close growing shrub with a bushy upright habit and attractive small glossy leaves with glaucous scaly underside. A delightful plant that can be pruned hard after flowering. Height 100-120cm in 10 years.
R. ambiguum Jane Banks is a good clone raised at Hergest Croft Gardens in Herefordshire, which was...
Rhododendron Amity
This yakushimanum hybrid has lovely reddish buds which open to rose pink campanulate flowers in late May. It has fabulous yellowish orange indumentum on the underside of the leaves and the new leaf growth has striking silvery indumentum. Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: Grosclaude Group x 'Britannia' (s) X yakushimanum...
Rhododendron Angelo
(H4-5) What a stunning plant with huge trusses of scented pale pink flowers in June. This is a vigorous plant with an open, treelike habit which performs best in sheltered woodland and shaded gardens. Height 180cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: Later flowering and scent.
Plantsman range.
Ideal position: Sheltered woodland, dappled shade.
Habit: Treelike.
Group: Hybrid Rhododendron.
Parentage:...
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 Anne Teese
(H4) White flowers, flushed pink and yellow, with purple stripes on the outside. Scented. April. 75-100cm in 10 years. A plant for very sheltered gardens, or cool conservatories. Needs well drained compost. Hard prune after flowering to maintain a good shape.
Recommended for the greenhouse or conservatory and lovely scented early flower.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: sheltered position in the...
Rhododendron Anuschka STANDARD
(H7) Bright red buds open to gorgeous rosey pink flowers in late May. A lovely very hardy yakushimanum hybrid bred by Hachmann in Northern Germany. Attractive dark green foliage. Size of head in 10 years 75-100cm. Plant in ericaceous compost. These standards have a clear stem of about 80cm, with a lollipop head of foliage and flower on top. Currently the size of the well-branched head is about 30cm,...
Rhododendron Apricot Fantasy
Outstanding and glowing light orange flowers in a perfect truss during mid May. A flower that really grabs your attention, so unfortunately we often sell out early! This plant has an upright habit with good glossy foliage. One of our favourites. Height 140-160cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: Stunning flower!
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: Most garden situations.
Habit: Dense.
Group: Hybrid.
Parentage:...
Rhododendron April Reign
Images Supplied and Owned by Roland Kersten, Fleurolex Vitroplant production srl
(H6) Clusters of three to four lightly fragrant, double light pink flowers in mid-spring. This semi-evergreen shrub reaches approximately 1 meter in height and exhibits a compact, branching growth habit. It features small, elliptic deep green leaves that develop a reddish-bronze hue in autumn. Requires a sheltered position,...
Rhododendron April Snow
Images Supplied and Owned by Roland Kersten, Fleurolex Vitroplant production srl
(H6) Clusters of three to four, double white flowers in mid-spring. This semi-evergreen shrub reaches approximately 1 meter in height and exhibits a compact, branching growth habit. Requires a sheltered position, a south-facing or west-facing aspect, in full sun or partial shade. Moist but well-drained acid soil.•...
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...