Rhododendron Fragrantissimum AGM

(H4) Our best selling tender rhododendron! Magnificent strongly scented funnel-shaped white flowers tinged pink, with a creamy yellow base. Flowering in April-May. Height 75-100cm in 10 years. A plant for sheltered positions in places like Devon and Cornwall or London courtyard gardens, where it is best planted against a wall for added protection. Also ideal in cool conservatories where the wonderful scent can really be appreciated.
Needs moist but well drained compost. Hard prune after flowering; growth can be quite lanky, so it is best to prune off most of the previous year's growth straight after flowering which will encourage a more bushy habit.

• Recommended for the greenhouse or conservatory and lovely scented flower.
• Ideal position: sheltered position in the garden or in a cool conservatory. Best grown outside during summer months.
• Habit: Can be lanky unless pruned.
• Group: Tender Rhododendron.
• Parentage: edgeworthii X formosum.
• Hybridization date: pre 1900 (1868).
• Bred by: W. Rollisson & Sons. Origin: British.
• Ideal soil: pH 4.5 to 6.
• RHS Hardiness Rating: H4.
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit

Customer Reviews

By Linda singer on 11th October 2024

"The plants are lovely and healthy….but the packaging was squashed in transit so some of the new growth had broken off. Nevertheless I am ,as always,pleased with the plants…thank you"

By jackie on 2nd March 2023

"Really excellent plant and beautifully packed. Alos good follow up advice with the seller. He says and I think it right to feed it and give it the conditions it requires. Thi takes time and work. Buying it is not enough you then have to care for it. Am delighted with plant. Jackie Dykes. WSussex"

By Steve on 12th October 2021

"Excellent plant, well packed and delivered quickly. "

By Patrick Dell on 2nd October 2021

"Very fine"

By David Steel on 24th September 2021

"It arrived quickly and in good condition. Happy buyer. "

By AshleyWhite on 16th December 2020

"The plant was bought as a Christmas present for my wife, I hope she will enjoy it for years to come. It arrived promptly,well packaged and in good condition, I am very pleased with my purchase and the quality of service I have received. "

By William Thomson on 25th April 2019

"Nice healthy and vigorous plant which arrived very quickly."

By Bob Nisbet on 5th March 2019

"My Rhododendron Fragrantissimum arrived in good time and condition and is looking very promising in its planted location. Thank you."

By Mrs J Smyth on 2nd January 2019

"Received 2 plants just before Christmas, one is in bud the other one isn't but both look really healthy so am looking forward to when they are in flower as this is the most fragrant plant I have ever smelt. I started searching for this shrub earlier in the year and left my details with the nursery not really expecting them to contact me but several months later an email came out of the blue saying the plants were in stock. but in short supply so I ordered mine but noticed a couple of days later they were no longer available so get them when you see them as there doesn't seem to be many places that stock this variety. Excellent service from the nursery."

By Sheila on 13th September 2018

"Fantastic Rhododendrons from Millais. Very pleased and waiting for more."

Good to know

Tender

Tender (maddenia) Rhododendrons are suitable for the cold greenhouse and mild areas such as Cornwall where they can be grown outdoors. Elsewhere in sheltered gardens they are worth trying against a South facing wall if temperatures are unlikely to go below -5°C. They give a magnificent display in spring, and the pinks and whites often have gorgeous scent to fill a conservatory. Many of these rhododendrons are epiphytic, meaning that they naturally grow in the boughs of forest trees and rock crevasses. Hence they often grow and flower better when their roots are constrained in a relatively small pot, and they need a very free draining (orchid type) compost, with just a teaspoon of slow release fertilizer.

When grown in a conservatory, these plants grow vigorously, so prune hard straight after flowering to encourage bushiness, leaving only about 10cm of the previous year's growth. They much prefer to be grown outside during summer months where there is fresh air and rainfall, so try to move out after frosts in May, and bring back indoors in October or November. Heating is usually not needed in the UK, and plants can be easily scorched if placed too close to radiators or heaters, or where there is lack of air movement within a conservatory.

Please note: Watch out for sooty mould on plants grown under protection (see advice centre for further information).

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

Size Guide

Delivery & Returns

Our website calculates the delivery charge according to weight and delivery location throughout the UK. To see these charges, please enter your postcode at the checkout, and you will see the charge vary as you add more items to your wheelbarrow.

Please see here for delivery information

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