Millais Nurseries
Compact Rhododendrons
Dome-shaped plants ideal for pots and small borders, growing to 75-125cm (2.5-3 foot) in 10 years.
This group consists of Rhododendron yakushimanum and Rhododendron williamsianum hybrids forming mound shaped plants of 75 - 100 cm after 10 years. Williamsianum hybrids normally flower in April with bell shaped flowers and are tolerant of slightly higher pH soils. Yak hybrids mainly flower in May, in rounded trusses which fade gently to a paler colour. They are typically very tough plants, and are ideal for the front of border or for more formal situations in containers.
Most of these varieties are dome shaped plants, wider than their height. Specimen size plants (eg 80-90cm) will typically be measured across the spread of the plant.
Compact Rhodo Collection (4 x 3 litre plants)
Picture for example only. Please see descriptions below.
This is a lovely collection of 4 compact growing Rhododendrons that compliment each other and are suitable for containers, smaller gardens or for the front of a border. They are all tough and hardy plants that will grow well throughout the UK.We grow these plants in 3L pots and we normally sell them for £18.95 each. They are 20-30cm tall...
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...
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 Astrid
Lovely deep pink flowers with white throat, fading to pale pink. She flowers in May - June and has good glossy dark green foliage. Height 100-120cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: Fantastica x Hachmanns' Feuerschein.
Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1976)
Bred by: Hans Hachmann. Origin: Germany.
Habit: Compact bushy.
Ideal...
Rhododendron Autumn Joy (Herbstfreude)
Picture owned by and supplied by Tomma, Schroeder Rhododendron
(H6) Delicate rosy-white flowers with blackberry red spotting in the upper lobe of each flower a full truss is made up of 16 flowers and measures approximately 11cm across. An interesting variety which flowers most years in September, and again in May - giving two bites of the cherry! This is a broadly upright plant with light green foliage....
Rhododendron Barbarella
(H5) Lovely orange, pink, red and yellow colour flowers during May. An outstanding compact yakushimanum hybrid with nice glossy foliage. Height 50-75cm in 10 years.
• Ideal for containers and small gardens.• Easy to grow.• Group: yakushimanum.• Parentage: Lampion x (viscidifolium x wardii).• Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1984).• Bred by: Hans Hachmann. Origin: German.•...
Rhododendron Birthday Girl
A really lovely plant that has deep pink buds which open to large clear pink flowers. Flowering in May, this is a dense and compact hybrid with deep green leaves. Choice plant from the famous Exbury Gardens. Ideal for a special birthday present! Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: yakushimanum (s) X white form of catawbiense.
Hybridization...
Rhododendron Black Pearl
Images kindly supplied and owned by Tjis Huisman
(H7) Dark Purple almost black buds, opening to rich dark purple flowers with a dark red centre and a very prominent black blotch, which is where the name black pearl comes from Flowering period is usually late May. Not the fastest or largest of the tall hybrids at only 125- 150 cm in ten years. Its dense habit and speed make it perfect for most modern...
Rhododendron Blewbury AGM
Blush white flowers with prominent reddish purple spotting, this is a very special plant. It has hardy broadly bell shaped flowers in dense trusses that flower in April. Of particular interest is it's dark narrow pointed leaves, with a thin light buff indumentum underneath. This is a real stunner and worth its place in the garden for the foliage alone! Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers...
Rhododendron Blue Print
(H6) An interesting two tone purple and white flower from mid May - early June. The main bulk of the flower is purple with a white star shaped centre which darks to purple as the flowers age. Each individual flower has faint speckling in the upper lobe. This plant grows to form a dense mound of bottle green foliage. The new stems and leaf petioles open a dark purplish red before turning green over...
Rhododendron Bow Bells AGM
Luscious deep pink buds open to delightful pink bells. Free flowering in April to May with attractive williamsianum type rounded leaves. The leaves have reddish-bronze young growth. Height 80-100cm in 10 years. We love this plant for it's pretty pink flowers and interesting foliage.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: williamsianum.
Parentage: Corona x williamsianum.
Hybridization...
Rhododendron Bremen
Glowing deep pink flowers in a loose truss appear in April. This plant has bright silvery green leaves and is neat and compact. It is hardy, but needs a sheltered site. Height 40-60cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: williamsianum.
Parentage: unknown x williamsianum
Hybridization date: pre 1950 (1945)
Bred by: D G Hobbie. Origin: German.
Habit: Compact...
Rhododendron Centennial Gold
Image Copyright: ©Nova-Photo-Graphik GmbH
(H6) Pale pink to yellow buds opening into trusses with 16-25 bright yellow flowers each. This plant is a yakushimanum hybrid and as such tends to have a compact mound forming habit. Dark green glossy leaves with a light brown indumentum on the underside of each. Typical height 75-100cm in ten years.
• Ideal for containers and small gardens.•...
Rhododendron Cowslip AGM
Beautiful bell-shaped flowers of pale primrose yellow to cream with pinky red markings in loose trusses. Flowering in April it has rounded leaves on a compact plant. Best with some shelter. Height 80-120cm in 10 years. As with all yellow Rhododendrons, this plant does need good drainage (but not dry conditions!).
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: williamsianum hybrid.
Parentage:...
Rhododendron Debbie Dane
(H6) Deep salmon pink bell shaped flowers in late May. A selection made for its special year round foliage attraction. Deep green leaves with creamy brown indumentum underneath. Height 50-75cm in 10 years. Requires moist acid soils. Ideal for use in planters, and because 'Debbie Dane' has a small annual growth, it won't outgrow its container for several years.
• Ideal for containers.•...
Rhododendron Doc
Pretty pink wavy edged flowers fading to white in May. This is another plant in the 'Seven Dwarf' series of compact Rhododendrons that were raised by Waterer's Nurseries in the early 1970's. Height 70-90cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: yakushimanum X 'Corona'
Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1970)
Bred by Waterer Nurseries, bagshot....
Rhododendron Dormouse
This delightful plant has delicate pink, two-toned bell-shaped flowers, that are deeper pink on the outside. Flowering in April. This is a great example of a williamsianum hybrid with lovely rounded leaves and attractive copper coloured young foliage in summer. Height 80-100cm in 10 years. We love this plant for it's unusual round leaves and fabulous young foliage. It's a real winner.
Ideal for...
Rhododendron Dreamland AGM
This plant has very pretty pale pink flowers with darker edges, fading with a hint of creaminess. It flowers in May and has wonderful stiff green leaves with pale undersides. Height 80-100cm in 10 years. This plant is one of our most popular sellers and is consistently reliable. Highly recommended.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: Fabia Group...
Rhododendron Elizabeth Red Foliage
Similar to Elizabeth in that this plant has masses of scarlet, funnel campanulate flowers in April. It is a rounded and compact shrub which is quite vigorous with an upright habit. The leaves are burgundy red, especially on young growth through the summer. This plant will regularly also flower in the autumn. Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
We love this plant for it's fantastic red flower and wonderful...
Rhododendron Golden Everest
(H5) Bright red buds with yellow shading opening to stunning vivid yellow bell shaped flowers with delicate reddish markings at the base of 3 dorsal lobes, in a rounded loose truss. An extraordinary flower during May-June. Good glossy dark green foliage on a plant with an upright habit. It needs a sheltered position with protection from late frosts. Height 80cm and spread 90cm in 10 years. Like all...
Rhododendron Grumpy
This plant has lovely orange buds that open to cream flowers with pink edging and spotting in late May. It is the most compact of the 'Seven Dwarfs' series with excellent foliage and stunning woolly indumentum on the underside of the leaves. Height 80cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: yakushimanum X unknown hybrid.
Hybridization...
Rhododendron Hallelujah
Image gratefully supplied and owned by Marc Mertens
(H5) Rose red flowers of strong substance, in a ball-shaped truss during May. Thick textured downward pointing leaves held on a compact and dense plant. Best in light shade. Height 100-125cm in 10 years.
Parentage: The Hon. Jean-Marie Montague x KimberlyBred by: Harold Greer, USA. 1976
Rhododendron Hydon Dawn AGM
This is one of our favourite plants with very attractive frilled pale pink flowers fading to near white in May. It has excellent foliage with fawn indumentum on the underside of the leaves, and silvery new growth. Height 80-100cm in 10 years. Raised by Arthur George of Hydon Nursery, Godalming.
Ideal for containers and small gardens
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: yakushimanum...
Rhododendron Hydon Velvet
Wonderful pale pink flowers in a compact truss flowering in mid May. This plant has fantastic foliage with cinnamon indumentum on underside of leaves. Makes a compact shrub that will attract lots of interest. Height 80 - 90cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: yakushimanum (s) X bureavii.
Hybridization date: pre 2000 (late 1960's)
Bred...
Rhododendron James Barto
(H4) Lovely fuscha pink bell shaped flowers in loose trusses in April/May. Splendid rounded foliage with a nice compact habit. Slightly scented. Height 75 to 100cm in 10 years. Requires moist acid soil.
• Ideal for small gardens.• Group: williamsianum.• Parentage: williamsianum X ? orbiculare.• Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1958).• Bred by: J.A. Barto Origin: American.•...
Rhododendron King's Ride
(H5) A neat domed truss of white bell shaped flowers, speckled brown and flushed purple-pink when young. Late May. A lovely and really choice foliage plant raised at Windsor Park, which looks good all year, with whitish tormentum in summer on the upper surfaces, turning glossy dark green in winter. Height 75-100cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: Yakushimanum.
...
Rhododendron Linda AGM
We love this gorgeous plant. With frilled rose-pink bell shaped flowers in upright trusses it flowers in May. This is a good williamsianum hybrid with a dense habit and pale green egg shaped leaves. R. williamsianum hybrids always have the characteristic rounded leaves that make them so interesting. Best in a sunny position. Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy...
Rhododendron Lovely William
Stunning deep rose flowers in a loose truss in April to May. We like this plant for its low growing open habit and lovely rounded leaves. R. williamsianum hybrids have characteristic rounded leaves that give them that little extra interest in the garden. Bred by Sir James Horlick on Isle of Gigha, Argyllshire. Height 75-100cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group:...
Rhododendron Lupinenberg Laguna
(H6) 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 at Bohlken's Nursery. Look out for...
Rhododendron Marlis AGM
Fantastic red buds open to rose pink flowers with paler centres and star-shaped white lines. This plant flowers in May, buds up young and is neat growing. This is a consistently reliable plant and one that we would recommend. Height 80-120cm in 10 years. The registered name is 'Hachmann's Marlis'.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: Mars X yakushimanum...
Rhododendron Maxine Childers
Beautiful waxy cardinal red flowers on a really special plant. It has textured dark green leaves with orange brown indumentum below. It resembles a compact R. strigillosum and has the same interesting bristly leaf. It flowers in April and young growth is reddish brown. We would recommend some shelter. Height 100-120cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: Strong red flower and wonderful foliage.
Plantsman...
Rhododendron Millennium Gold
(H6) This plant has beautiful pure golden yellow flowers with an attractive dark speckling on the upper lobe. Flowering in May and early June, its flowers are funnel shaped, 60 x 40mm with around 14 to 17 per rounded truss. Nice glossy foliage with a lovely orange brown indumentum on the underside of the leaves. Good compact yellows are rare, but this one is proving excellent. Height 75-100cm in 10...
Rhododendron Moonstone
(H5) Characterful lax trusses of yellow bell shaped flowers opening to creamy pink in April. Rounded mid green leaves. Raised by J C Williams, campylocarpum x williamsianum. Height 100-125cm in 10 years.
• Ideal for containers and small gardens.• Easy to grow.• Parentage: campylocarpum x williamsianum.• Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1958).• Bred by: J.C. Williams Origin: British.•...
Rhododendron Nofretete
(H6) Bright red flowers, white in the throat, with red-brown spotting on the dorsal lobe, fading paler with age in May. A great foliage plant, neat habit. Bred Bruns (Germany) 1961. Height 100-125cm in 10 years. Please note this variety can be shy to flower, so you may need to wait 2-3 years.
• Ideal for containers and small gardens.• Easy to grow.• Parentage: ‘El Alamein’...
Rhododendron Perfect Lady
This plant is a real gem. It has lovely foliage with good indumentum on the underside of the leaves and small trusses of pretty soft yellow bell-shaped flowers edged deep rose in late May. Highly desirable plant which starts flowering after 4 years - well worth the wait! Height 80-100cm in 10 years. Bred by F. E. W. Hanger, the Curator at the RHS Garden, Wisley.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy...
Rhododendron Pink Purple Dream
(H6) Light purple to pink flowers in May. An upright, broad growing shrub that prefers a semi-shady to shady location. Requires moist but well-drained acid soil. Height 100-125cm and a width of 150-175cm in 10 years.
Rhododendron Queen Bee
**** As launched by us at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019****
(H5) Rosy-pink in bud, opening to pinky white bell shaped flowers in April. A wonderful foliage plant with lovely fawn indumentum especially on new growth in June-July, turning brown underneath and silvery on top. Height 50-75cm in 10 years. A beautiful rhododendron with a very promising future. This combines the lovely fawn indumentum from...
Rhododendron Red Star (Bohlkens Roter Stern)
(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 100-125cm 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 Embers•...
Rhododendron Rexima
(H5) An interesting foliage plant, combining the winning traits of R. yakushimanum and R. rex. Lilac pink in bud, opening white with a dark red basal blotch and markings in May. Large dark green leaves with brown indumentum on the undersides, and a fluffly light tomentum on the new leaves, which have been inherited from the big leaved R. rex, but growing in a useful compact habit due its yakushimanum...
Rhododendron Rosa Perle
(H7) Dark pink buds, opening to large ruby pink almost bell-shaped flowers with faint brownish markings, held in a loose truss between mid-May and early June. A wide mound forming plant growing wider than it does high (100cm high by 150cm wide in ten years), with interesting narrow lanceolate leaves which have a distinctive white covering (tomentum) on the top when new growth first appears, and brown...
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 Rusty Dane
Pink buds open to pure white flowers, mid to late May. A wonderful foliage selection which looks good all year, with cream indumentum on the new leaves turning rusty reddish brown, and thickly felted on the lower surface as they mature. Height and spread is 50-75cm in 10 years with a broad habit.
Another great Danish foliage selection from Svend Hansen, using the species parents R. bureavii x R....
Rhododendron Schneekrone AGM
A tough plant with white flowers tinged soft pink and spotted ruby red in a ball shaped truss of 12 to 17 flowers, each approximately 50mm. Flowering in May this is one of the best white yakushimanum hybrids for cold climates. Height 80-100cm in 10 years. Translated, this plant is 'Snow Crown' and it certainly is a real beauty.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage:...
Rhododendron Sennocke
Beautiful deep waxy-red funnel shaped flowers in late May. This is a low growing bushy compact plant with glossy bright green pointed leaves. Height 100-120cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: Striking flower and interesting foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: Most garden situations.
Habit: Dense.
Group: Hybrid Rhododendron.
Parentage: Register states 'unknown', but an old Hydon Nurseries catalogue...
Rhododendron September Red
(H5) Pure red coloured flowers with thin brown markings. An interesting variety which flowers most years in September, and again in May - giving two bites of the cherry! Height 75-100cm in 10 years.
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group: yakushimanum.
Parentage: yakushimanum x R. 'Sammetglut'
Hybridization date: unknown.
Bred by: Klaus Löptien. Origin: German
Habit:...
Rhododendron Silbervelours
**** Launched at Chelsea Flower Show 2019****
(H5) Rounded trusses of pale pink, fading to cream with yellow green spotting in a truss of 14-16. Late April-May. A wonderful foliage plant with beautiful silvery white new growth for most of the season, with yellowy thick wooly indumentum on the undersides all summer, especially in full sun. Excellent habit. Height 100-125cm in 10 years.
• Compact...
Rhododendron Silberwolke AGM
Beautiful pinky purple in bud opening to frilled ice-white flowers, spotted yellow green in the throat. This is a stunning plant flowering in late May. It is compact with deep green thick foliage. Height 80-100cm in 10 years. Silberwolke means Silver Cloud and this is another of our favourites. Perhaps a nice Silver Wedding present?
Ideal for containers and small gardens.
Easy to grow.
Group:...
Rhododendron Silver Copper
NEW! Masses of pinky-white frilly flowers with a dark red blotch in the centre, flowering in May. The plant is named for its wonderful new foliage during the summer months. The new growth in June and July is covered in a bright silvery tomentum (powdery coating) which turns a copper colour before washing off in autumn rains to reveal dark green leaves during the winter months. The leaf undersides are...
