Millais Nurseries
Azaleas
There are two distinct types of Azaleas. Evergreen Azaleas, (sometimes called Japanese azaleas) keep their leaves in winter, and typically grow to 40-80cm (18"-30") in 10 years. Deciduous Azaleas are taller, reaching 120-150cm (4'-5') in 10 years, and lose their leaves in the autumn, often with some wonderful colours first. Both are members of the Rhododendron family.
Deciduous Azaleas originate from Turkey, America and Asiatic areas such as Japan and Taiwan. The yellow luteum from Turkey is as hardy and as popular as ever with its scented flowers, while the American species are more subtle and extend the flowering season into the summer. The Asiatic species are more delicate in habit and in flower, and all the more beautiful too. Best in partial shade, and perfect at the edge of woodland.
The plant collector E H Wilson introduced his famous Wilson’s 50 Evergreen Azaleas in 1920 having selected the best 50 Kurume azaleas from Japan. Since then, numerous hybrids have been bred around the world, some them not hardy enough for British conditions. We have selected good performers for a spectacular show every May.
Azaleodendron Gowenianum
This rare hybrid between a rhododendron and a deciduous azalea dates from before 1825. Strongly scented light purple star shaped flowers appear in early June. The leaves are usually evergreen during most winters. Height 120cm in 10 years.
Recommended for pretty scented flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group: Azaleodendron.
Parentage: periclymenoides or viscosum (s) X catawbiense x ponticum.
Hybridization...
Azaleodendron Ria Hardijzer
Lovely small (20mm) vivid purplish red flowers with faint spots in a compact truss of 19 to 25. This is an unusual hybrid between a rhododendron and an evergreen azalea, but it has more of an appearance and habit of an evergreen azalea, though it can look a little sparse in winter. It is worth pruning hard after flowering to keep the plant looking nice and bushy. It is hardy, but dislikes too much...
Deciduous Azalea Anneke
Large brilliant yellow flowers with vivid yellow spotting. The flowers are 80 to 100mm wide, 9 in each truss. Another of our favourites, this is a beautifully scented cultivar raised by Denny Pratt flowering in May-June. Height 140-160cm in 10 years. Requires a fairly sunny position.
This plant was selected as outstanding by a well-known Dutch nurseryman, Fred de Jong, and named after his daughter...
Deciduous Azalea April Showers
Large pale yellow flowers with a deeper orange yellow centre and slight blotch. A nicely scented quality flower that is earlier than the Knaphill types, and showy in late April-May. Height 120-150cm in 10 years. Requires a fairly sunny position.
Recommended for early scented flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (hybrid).
Parentage: unknown.
Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1965).
Bred...
Deciduous Azalea austrinum
Pretty musky fragrant yellow, apricot or orange flowers appear in April and May before the leaves open. This is a really pretty and distinctive deciduous azalea that is tall growing. Rarely for sale elsewhere. Height 120-150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for attractive scented flowers.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: most garden situations, likes some sun.
Habit: upright.
Group: Deciduous Azalea.
Subsection:...
Deciduous Azalea calendulaceum 'Orange Red'
(H6) 'Flame Azalea'. Beautiful orange red flowers. May - June. Good Autumn colour. From North Carolina, USA. Height 120-150cm in 10 years. Requires fairly sunny position.
Recommended for ease to grow and glowing flowers.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: most garden situations, likes some sun.
Habit: upright.
Group: Deciduous Azalea.
Subsection: Pentanthera.
Introduction date: 1750.
Species...
Deciduous Azalea canadense 'album'
Dainty white flowers appearing before the lovely bluish green leaves. Flowering in April-May, it is a low plant which thrives in damp conditions. It is tough with a low upright stolloniferous habit. Height 120cm in 10 years. It prefers a fairly sunny position.
Ideal for more damp conditions, flowers earlier than most.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: damp conditions but likes some sun.
Habit: upright.
Group:...
Deciduous Azalea Caroline de Rothschild
(H6) Large double flowers, deep rosy pink in bud, opening to cream shaded pink, with yellow in the centre. Fragrant in late May. A choice new plant raised in New Zealand by Denis Hughes, Blue Mountain Nurseries for Caroline de Rothschild of Exbury Gardens in Hampshire. Height 150-175cm in 10 years.
Not to be confused with the evergreen Rhododendron of the same name!
• Recommended for large...
Deciduous Azalea Charlotte Megan
(H6) Luscious double flowered Strawberry pink pompom shaped flowers standing up like great globes on top of the stems. Flowers mid to late May. Best in light shade or full sun. Good autumn leaf colour adds extra interest. Height 150-175cm in 10 years.
This is one of 4 lovely 'Homebush' hybrids bred by noted New Forest Azalea breeder George Hyde, who bred the Solent strain of Azaleas for Exbury Gardens....
Deciduous Azalea Coccineum Speciosum AGM
Beautiful small orange red honeysuckle type flowers. This is a historic Ghent variety that flowers in May. Height 120 - 150cm in 10 years.
Also known as 'Coccinea Speciosa'.
Recommended for attractive flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Ghent hybrid).
Parentage: unknown
Hybridization date: pre 1900 (before 1836).
Bred by: L. Seneclause. Origin: French.
Habit: upright.
Ideal position:...
Deciduous Azalea Crosswater Red AGM
Stunning deep glowing true red flowers with contrasting stamens, flowering in late May - early June. The best red deciduous azalea which has good autumn foliage colour. Height 150-180cm in 10 years. Best in light shade.Shortly after the Second World War, and with ornamental plants in short supply, Ted Millais raised hundreds of Knaphill type seedlings to start planting his garden at Crosswater Farm....
Deciduous Azalea Daviesii AGM
Pink buds open creamy, and then change to white flowers, with a yellow blotch. Beautifully scented, the flowers are up to 65mm across in May - June. Tough and lower growing than most deciduous azaleas. Good autumn leaf colour adds extra interest. Height 120-150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for gorgeous scented flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Ghent hybrid).
Parentage:...
Deciduous Azalea Delicatissimum AGM
(H6) Beautiful creamy white flowers, flushed pink with an orange flare. Nicely scented and flowering in May - June. Height 120-150cm in 10 years. Requires a fairly sunny position.
AGM 2013
Deciduous Azalea Fireball AGM
Stunning large deep red flowers with yellow stamens flowering in May - June. This deciduous azalea has fantastic reddish foliage, especially in autumn. Height 150-180cm in 10 years.
Recommended for wonderful foliage.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Exbury hybrid).
Parentage: 'Scarlet Pimpernel' X 'Favor Major'
Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1951).
Bred by: E. de Rothschild. Origin: British.
Habit:...
Deciduous Azalea flammeum
(H5) Flame coloured flowers from orange to scarlet, long staemens and style, in rounded trusses of 6-11.
Hardy and free flowering.
Flowering time: May
From Georgia and South Carolina.
Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Not suitable for cool summers
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea.
Parentage: unknown.
Habit: upright.
Ideal position: Heat and sun tolerant.
Ideal soil: pH 4.5 to 6.
RHS...
Deciduous Azalea Fruit Salad
(H6) Vibrant scented dark pink flowers with deep orange flare in June/July, fading to paler pinks and yellows with attractive glossy foliage. Raised by Denny Pratt and launched by Millais Nurseries in 2009. This plant was selected by Ted Millais as a plant labelled DP103 at Dunham Massey. A stunning plant that is useful to extend the flowering season. Height 120-150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for...
Deciduous Azalea Gibraltar AGM
A stunning plant featuring flame orange flowers with a warm yellow flare and slightly frilled petals in trusses up to 65mm across. This is a very popular deciduous azalea that flowers in May-June. Height 150-180cm in 10 years.
Recommended for attention grabbing flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Exbury hybrid)
Parentage: unknown
Hybridization date: pre 1950 (1947).
Bred by: E. de...
Deciduous Azalea Ginger
A striking plant with brilliant orange flowers with golden upper petal. It flowers about a week earlier than most Exbury type azaleas, so it's lovely in starting the Exbury azalea flowering season in mid May. Height 120-150cm in 10 years.
Ideal for mixed borders.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Exbury hybrid).
Parentage: unknown.
Hybridization date: pre 1950 (1947).
Bred by: Exbury. Origin:...
Deciduous Azalea Golden Nectarine
Picture owned by and supplied by Tomma, Schroeder Rhododendron
(H6) This Knaphill style flower starts off light red-orange in bud before opening to a rich golden yellowy orange with tinges of red on the edges in late May. Very similar to Sunte Nectarine but much richer in colour. Quite often the new bronze, red leaves will start to open at the same time as the flowers which gives a very nice contrast....
Deciduous Azalea Golden Sunset AGM
Lovely orange red buds open to light yellow flowers that are tinged orange, with an orange flare in the throat. Large flowers up to 65mm across in a truss of 30 flowers, appearing in late May. This plant has light green foliage slightly tinged bronze with good autumn colours. Best in a sunny position with light shade. Height 150cm in 10 years.Raised by Exbury and sold to Waterer's Nursery who introduced...
Deciduous Azalea Hamlet
Stunning warm salmon orange flower with a striking dark reddish orange spotted flare. A Mollis type of Azalea flowering in May with good autumn colours. Height 140-160cm at 10 years. Requires a fairly sunny position.
Ideal for mixed borders.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Mollis hybrid).
Parentage: molle subsp. japonicum X molle subsp. molle.
Hybridization date: pre 1950 (1931).
Bred...
Deciduous Azalea Hanger's Flame
Wonderfully bright dazzling orange flowers with a slightly more golden blotch on the upper lobes, in May-June. Later flowering than some others, and lightly scented, which is rare for an orange variety.
This was raised by Francis Hanger and was planted out by John Slocock in a collection of Hanger azaleas at Charles Hill Nurseries and code-named FH8. Here it was spotted by Ted Millais who planted...
Deciduous Azalea Helena Evelyn
(H6) Rich sugar pink 'Homebush' hybrid. Grows best in light dappled shade or full sun. This is a doubled flowered plant of excellent quality and a lovely shade of pink. Height 150cm in 10 years.
One of 4 lovely 'Homebush' hybrids bred by noted New Forest Azalea breeder George Hyde, who bred the Solent strain of Azaleas for Exbury Gardens. We have propagated these exclusively from the garden of his...
Deciduous Azalea Homebush AGM
Extremely attractive double deep carmine pink flowers in a ball-shaped pompom-like truss 30mm across. Flowering May - June this deciduous azalea has good autumn colour. Height 120-150cm in 10 years. Requires a fairly sunny position.
Recommended for attractive flowers and autumn leaf colour.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Knaphill hybrid).
Parentage: unknown
Hybridization date: pre 1950...
Deciduous Azalea Ilam Melford Lemon
Strong golden yellow flowers with a buttery golden flare, which contrasts with reddish new foliage. Long lasting scented flowers in May - June and superb red autumn foliage. the flowers are large up to 85mm across, 10 to 12 per truss. Bred in New Zealand. Height 150-180cm in 10 years.
Recommended for stunning scented flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Knaphill hybrid).
Parentage:...
Deciduous Azalea Imago
Lovely deep yellow double flowers, tinged purplish red flowering in late May. One of Donald Waterer's later hybrids but still rare. Height 150cm in 10 years.
Recommended gorgeous flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Knaphill hybrid).
Parentage: unknown.
Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1959).
Bred by: Waterer (Bagshot). Origin: British.
Habit: compact.
Ideal position: Most sunny garden...
Deciduous Azalea Irene Koster AGM
Very pretty rose pink flower with deeper markings and a yellow flare. Single flowers 65mm wide that are strongly scented appear in June. Good autumn leaf colour adds extra interest. An old favourite, and always extremely popular. Height 120-150cm in 10 years.
Please note: We propagate this from an original stock plant in our garden that we know is correctly named. Most plants offered for sale are...
Deciduous Azalea Jessica Rose
(H6) Luscious rich warm pink, double flowered Homebush hybrid. Grows best in light dappled shade or full sun. Height 150cm in 10 years.
One of 4 lovely 'Homebush' hybrids bred by noted New Forest Azalea breeder George Hyde, who bred the Solent strain of Azaleas for Exbury Gardens. We have propagated these exclusively from the garden of his daughter, Rosemary Legrand, and they have just been named...
Deciduous Azalea Jock Brydon AGM
Striking pinky white flowers with a bold speckled reddish orange blotch and wavy ruffled edges. A stunning occidentale hybrid with a good scent in May and June. This is vigorous as a young plant with arching branches. Height 150-180cm in 10 years.
Recommended for striking scented flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Occidentale hybrid).
Parentage: molle subsp. molle X occidentale.
Hybridization...
Deciduous Azalea Jolie Madame AGM
Fine pink trumpet shaped scented flowers with an orange yellow blotch up to 70mm across on a truss of 7 to 9 flowers. Flowering in May - June with an upright habit it also has lovely autumn colour. Height 140-160cm after 10 years.
Recommended for lovely fragrance.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (viscosum hybrid).
Parentage: viscosum x 'Koster's Brilliant Red' X 'Satan'.
Hybridization date:...
Deciduous Azalea Juniduft
Image supplied and owned by H. Hachmann https://www.hachmann.de/
(H6) Sweetly scented stunning two tone pale pink funnel shaped flowers, that have a wonderful yellow spotted upper lobe, appear in late May early June. The new growth come through bronze in colour and turns deep green as the season progresses. Height 125-150cm in ten years.
• Recommended for: Gorgeous scented flowers.• Easy...
Deciduous Azalea Klondyke AGM
Red orange in bud opening to one of the best bright golden yellow flowers in May - June. This fine deciduous azalea has coppery red new growth and good autumn colour. Height 150-180cm in 10 years. Requires a fairly sunny position.
Recommended for one of the best yellow flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Exbury hybrid).
Parentage: unknown
Hybridization date: pre 1950 (1947).
Bred...
Deciduous Azalea Knaphill Apricot
Extremely attractive large apricot yellow flowers in early to mid May. This plant is an unusual colour which always attracts interest. Height 150-180cm in years. Requires a fairly sunny position.
Recommended for lovely flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Knaphill hybrid).
Parentage: unknown.
Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1950).
Bred by: Waterer (Bagshot). Origin: British.
Habit:...
Deciduous Azalea luteum
Absolutely stunning and still one of the most popular highly scented yellow azaleas. Flowering in May this deciduous azalea has striking autumn yellow and orange leaf colour. A must for every garden and one of our favourites. A lovely old species that has become naturalized in parts of the British Isles and was very important in the development of the Ghent hybrids. Height 120-150cm in 10 years.
Some...
Deciduous Azalea Marie Hoffman
(H6) Pretty clove scented clear pink flowers with a slight yellowy centre, appearing in clusters with the leaves in May. Originally described as a choice and very hardy selection of the wild Azalea prinophyllum from Eastern U.S.A, but now beleived to be a hybrid due to its larger flowers of greater substance. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for fragrant flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group:...
Deciduous Azalea Midsummer Coral
(H6) Stunning scented coral pink flowers with a prominent yellow orange flare. Raised by Ted Millais at Crosswater Farm, particularly to extend the flowering season. Flowering in late June with lovely light green foliage. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
This lovely plant is as a result of the breeding work Ted did with Denny Pratt's later flowering azaleas. Denny specialised in breeding late flowering...
Deciduous Azalea Midsummer Girl
(H6) Stunning pink scented flowers with light yellow markings. Raised by Ted Millais at Crosswater Farm, particularly to extend the flowering season. Flowering in late June with glosy light green foliage that turns to a bronzey sheen with glaucous undersides throughout the growing season. Good autumn leaf colour adds extra interest. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
This lovely plant is as a result of...
Deciduous Azalea Midsummer Queen
(H6) Scented creamy white flowers with a deeper yellow centre, and fading to paler creamy white. Flowering in late June, which extends the flowering season nicely. Attractive glossy dark green foliage. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Bred at Crosswater Farm, and one of our newest releases from our late flowering breeding programme.
Recommended for late scented flower and fantastic foliage.
Easy...
Deciduous Azalea Midsummer Wedding
Pale apricot buds, open to beautiful scented white flowers with pale yellow markings on the upper lobe. Raised by Ted Millais at Crosswater Farm, particularly to extend the flowering season. Flowering in late June with lovely reddish new growth and glaucous shiny leaves. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
This lovely plant is as a result of the breeding work Ted did with Denny Pratt's later flowering azaleas....
Deciduous Azalea Narcissiflorum AGM
Lovely small pale yellow flowers, with darker centre and outside, 30mm across. Sweetly scented double honeysuckle type flowers in May - June, followed by good autumn colour and one of David's recommended varieties. This is an unusual but highly sought after plant which is one of our specialities. Height 150-180cm in 10 years.
Recommended for amazing scented flowers.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous...
Deciduous Azalea Niamh
(H6) Wonderful large deep pink flowers with a prominent orange-yellow flare on the upper petal, in late May. Stunning red foliage develops through the summer. Height is 150cm in 10 years. It does require a fairly sunny position.
This is a lovely plant which was bred by Ted Millais, and always attracted attention in the garden with its deep pink flowers, set off by lovely red foliage. For years we...
Deciduous Azalea Nicholas de Rothschild
(H5) A wonderful bicoloured double flower, which is red in tight bud, opening through deep pink to deep golden yellow, turning to soft pink and apricot as they mature. May. Deep green foliage turns fiery red in autumn before falling. Height 125-150cm in 10 years with an upright habit.
This combination makes for a kaleidoscope of colour through the spring. Altogether a great shrub for punctuating...
Deciduous Azalea Norman's Choice
(H6) Vivid red in bud, opening to reddish orange flowers with yellow flare on upper lobes, with wavy edges. Scented flowers in May. Rich bronze coloured foliage. Height 125-150cm in 10 years. Requires moist acid soils.
Raised by the late George Hyde, a Dorset nurseryman in the 1970s.Named by his daughter Rosemary Legrand in 2013 for renowned New Forest nurseryman Norman Stanbrook.
Deciduous Azalea Pamela Mary
(H6) Deep pink in bud, opening to pink with a large orange flare, giving a lovely and distinctive two tone effect, then becoming glowing pale orange throughout. Stunning large flowers in late May, on a plant with a strong upright habit.
This was raised by noted Dorset nurseryman, George Hyde, who also raised the Solent strain of azaleas for Exbury Gardens. It was selected and named by his daughter...
Deciduous Azalea periclymenoides
An attractive sweet-smelling azalea, with small pink flowers, and a deeper tube, appearing with the leaves in May. This is a very hardy low growing, stoloniferous plant (meaning it bears stolons which are stems which creep along the surface of the ground, taking root at intervals) from Eastern America. Height 120-150cm in 10 years.
Also known as nudiflorum
Recommended for pretty scented flowers.
Easy...
Deciduous Azalea Persil AGM
Stunning large pure white flowers with a prominent deep yellow flare in the throat. Flowering in mid-late May this is one of our favourites. A striking Knaphill azalea. Height 120-150cm in 10 years.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Knaphill hybrid).
Parentage: unknown.
Hybridization date: pre 1950 (before 1926).
Bred by: Waterer (Knap Hill). Origin: British.
Habit: upright.
Ideal position:...
Deciduous Azalea Royal Command
Attractive vivid reddish-orange flowers fading to yellow in full sun. Flowering in May - June, this deciduous azalea has good autumn leaf colour and a bushy habit. Height 150-180cm in 10 years.
Ideal for mixed borders.
Easy to grow.
Group:Deciduous Azalea (Exbury hybrid).
Parentage: unknown.
Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1958).
Bred by: Exbury. Origin: British.
Habit: upright.
Ideal position:...
Deciduous Azalea Rumba
(H6) This deciduous azalea has bright vivid orange flowers which start to open in May and continue well into June helping to extend the flowering season for the orange deciduous azaleas.The new leaves emerge green with a red hue around the margins before turning golden orange and crimson red in the autumn months. This plant grows to be around 1.5m high and 1.2m wide and prefers to be in a sunny spot.
•...