Millais Nurseries
Species Rhododendrons
Species Rhododendrons often have wonderful foliage, but are fairly specialist and are best grown by more experienced gardeners.
We pride ourselves in one of the best ranges of Rhododendron species in the country, and we try to propagate these from collectors' seed, or recognised good forms. Many new species Rhododendrons have recently been introduced, mainly from the Himalayas, and we include some for the first time. Many are well worth growing for their foliage alone!
Please note that the flower colour of some species can vary considerably from one clone to the next. eg R. campanulatum can flower from white to pink or deep lilac.
Rhododendron arboreum cinnamomeum 'Everest Reunion'
This plant has neat trusses of pink flowers in March-April. It has distinctive cinnamon red indumentum on the underside of the large leathery leaves. R. arboreum cinnamomeum 'Everest Reunion' makes a good show in our garden and was collected by Colonel Charles Wylie, (David's uncle) who was in charge of logistics and Nepali porters on the successful 1952 Everest expedition. This selection has attractive...
Rhododendron argipeplum
Superb scarlet red bell-shaped flowers in a small truss flowering early, between February and April. A striking plant that has bristly branchlets when young. It has reddish smooth flaking bark and white, turning buff, indumentum on the underside of it's leaves. Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
This species was redefined in 1996, formerley being known as R. smithii and R. macrosmithii.
Recommended...
Rhododendron argipeplum (EGM/Borde Hill)
(BARBATA H4-5) Fine scarlet red bell-shaped flowers in a small truss. February-April. Bristly branchlets when young. Reddish smooth and flaking bark. Indumentum under leaf. Height 80-100 cm in 10 years.
Recommended for early flower and interesting bark and foliage.
Plantsman range.
Ideal position: sheltered woodland.
Habit: tree-like.
Group: Species Rhododendron.
Subsection: Barbata.
Introduction...
Rhododendron argyrophyllum 'Chinese Silver' AGM
Red in bud, opening to excellent clear pink bell-shaped flowers, with a darker flushing. Flowering in early May argyrophyllum Chinese Silver is an excellent clone that has attractive dark green silver-backed leaves. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for wonderful foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: sheltered woodland.
Habit: tree-like.
Group: Species Rhododendron.
Subsection: Argyrophylla.
Introduction...
Rhododendron bureavii AGM
Lovely white rose flushed flowers spotted crimson or purple. Flowering in May this is a superb foliage plant, with thick woolly indumentum on the underside of the leaves turning from white to rusty red with age. One of the most distinctive rhododendron species. Our selected clone is propagated from a large plant growing at Crosswater which has great flowers and grows in a neat rounded habit. It has...
Rhododendron campanulatum
Attractive white, pale rose or lilac flowers, in loose but fairly compact trusses. Flowering in April and May it has lovely glossy leaves up to 18cm long with a continuous fawn/rusty brown indumentum underneath. It makes a fine shrub/small tree. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Recommended for outstanding foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: needs careful site selection, good drainage and not too...
Rhododendron cardiobasis 'Pink Cloud' AC4221
(FORTUNEA H4) Large pinky white funnel shaped campanulate flowers with 7 lobes, late May-June. Distinctive large rounded leaves with a heart shaped base. Related to R. orbiculare. Height 50-75cm in 10 years. Requires moist acid soils.
Rhododendron degronianum heptamerum 'Ho Emma'
Lovely pinky-white flowers that are flushed red-purple on the veins and with spots in the throats. A tough clone, flowering in April-May, degronianum heptamerum Ho Emma has attractive felted indumentum on the underside of it's leaves. It makes an attractive neat plant. Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
Recommended for great foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: most garden situations.
Habit: compact.
Group:...
Rhododendron degronianum heptamerum 'Oki Koki'
(PONTICA H4) Pink in bud, opening to white flowers with a deeper lining in a dense truss during April-May. A tough, neat growing plant forming a dome shape, with dark recurved leaves (130-180 x 40-55mm) and fawn indumentum on the undersides. Height 75-100cm in 10 years.
This plant was selected and named by David Millais from a batch of seed kindly sent by botanist Yuji Kurashige, who collected...
Rhododendron floccigerum
(NERIIFLORA H5) Bell-shaped flowers of crimson or mixed bicolors. March - May. Height 120cm in 10 years.
Rhododendron fortunei discolor AGM
Wonderful large fragrant trusses of pinky white funnel shaped flowers in June-July. This is an excellent late season tall bushy growing plant with an upright habit. It performs best in partial shade to preserve the flowers from summer sunshine. A fast growing plant that flowers after 5 years. Height 180cm in 10 years.
Recommended for lovely late scented flower.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: sheltered...
Rhododendron fortunei discolor 'Deer Dell'
(FORTUNEA H6) Large trusses of fragrant pinky white funnel shaped flowers in June-July. An excellent late flowering clone selected by eminent enthusiast John McQuire. Height 180 cm in 10 years.
Rhododendron fortunei discolor 'John Elcock' AGM
Very attractive fragrant pink flowers in May. fortunei discolor John Elcock is part of the Houlstonii Group, with earlier flowering and smaller, narrower leaves. A fast growing plant that flowers after 5 years. It always flowers well here at Crosswater Farm! Height 175-200 cm in 10 years.
Recommended for lovely flower.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: sheltered woodland.
Habit: upright, tree-like.
Group:...
Rhododendron fulgens BLM330
A choice plant with striking deep red to bright scarlet tubular bell shaped flowers in February - April. It has handsome dark shiny foliage with a wonderful thick fawn wooly indumentum on the underside of the leaves. With pinky-red smooth peeling bark and fantastic young growth, it really is a stunner. Height 60-80cm in 10 years.
Recommended for excellent foliage and gorgeous early flowers.
Plantsman...
Rhododendron insigne AGM
A great plant with stunning pink bell shaped flowers with crimson spotting in May - June. It has distinctive pointed deep green glossy leaves with a silver/coppery metallic sheen on the underside. This is a tough plant with a neat bushy habit, particularly if grown in plenty of light. It does benefit from deadheading after flowering. Height 80 to 100cm in 10 years.
Recommended for good foliage and...
Rhododendron irroratum 'Polka Dot' BH2511
(IRRORATA H4-5) A super selection with striking flowers that are white and heavily spotted deep purple suffused pink in March-April. It has hairy pedicels, ovary and style. The plant is reasonably upright in habit, with a height of 125-150cm in 10 years.
This irroratum 'Polka Dot' clone is always one of the most striking flowers on the show benches at Rhododendron competitions. Our clone originates...
Rhododendron longipes
(H5) A rare plant with showy and floriferous pale pink to rose and purple flowers, sometimes spotted. Flowering in April-May this is a lovely plant whose lower leaf surface has thin pale brown indumentum. Likely height 100cm in 10 years.
Recommended for abundant pretty flowers.
Plantsman range.
Ideal position: dappled shade.
Habit: upright.
Group: Species Rhododendron.
Subsection: Argyrophylla.
Introduction...
Rhododendron makinoi AGM (best narrow leaf)
A stunning plant with compact trusses of pinky white flowers in May and June. This selection has interesting long recurved leaves and dense fawn indumentum on the underside and lovely wooly young shoots. It benefits from staking and is certainly worth growing for it's wonderful foliage. As the name suggests, we think this is our best makinoi selection! Height 80-100cm in 10 years.
Recommended for...
Rhododendron niveum AGM
Wonderful smoky purple mauve flowers in a ball shaped truss flower in April-May. A fine species with interesting foliage, young growth has downy white indumentum on the underside of the leaves maturing into a lovely fawn colour on the mature leaves. A rare plant from Sikkim that needs a little extra TLC and good drainage. Height 100 - 120 cm in 10 years.Looks good planted next to yellow varieties!...
Rhododendron orbiculare (Hydon BH1786) AGM
(FORTUNEA H6) Rose or purplish-pink bell shaped flowers in a loose truss. April-May. Distinct bright green rounded leaves with heart shaped base. Height 80-120cm in 10 years. Best in a fairly sunny spot.
Recommended for distinctive foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: most sunny garden situations.
Habit: compact and dense.
Group: Species Rhododendron.
Subsection: Fortunea.
Introduction date:...
Rhododendron pubicostatum
(TALIENSIA H7) Trusses of light pink flowers. April-May. Excellent foliage with sparse brown indumentum on underside. Probably natural hybrid between R. bureavii and R. sikangense. Height 40-60 cm in 10 years.
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 suoilenhense (seedlings from AC 4458)
Picture of a 3 litre plant for illustrative purposes only
(GRANDIA H4-5) Recently collected from Vietnam. Creamy white campanulate flowers with maroon basal flashes, in a rounded truss, April. Large foliage with indumentum on older leaves. Early intoductions to the UK have produced tall, majestic and fast growing trees when grown in good conditions. Full hardiness is not confirmed yet, but it seems...
Rhododendron taliense 'Honigduft'
(TALIENSIA H7) Creamy white flowers with crimson spotting in April-May. Lovely foliage with an intense scent of honey, especially when rubbed or in the sun on a warm day. Thick tawny white indumentum on new leaves during summer, maturing to woolly brown. Height 80-100 cm in 10 years.
This is a fine new selection from Germany. The name means 'Honey Scent', and you can smell the lovely scent of honey...
Rhododendron taliense 'Woolly Dane'
(TALIENSIA H7) Creamy pinkish white bell shaped and spotted flowers in April - May. Honey scented foliage. Thick tawny indumentum on underside of leaves.
This selection of R. taliense, 'Woolly Dane' has dense woolly felted indumentum in a cognac colour. This thick soft felt graces the new leaves, their undersides, and the shoots throughout the year. The foliage is elliptic to oval, with quite...
Rhododendron thomsonii
Deep blood red bell-shaped flowers in April-May, on a stunning plant with interesting orbicular dark green leaves. As the plant matures, it develops into a superb large shrub with smooth peeling bark. Flowering will commence when the plant is growing well and aged about 6 years old. It often grows near streams in the Himalayas, but does need good drainage. Height 120cm in 10 years.
Named by Victorian...
Rhododendron traillianum
Lovely white flowers flushed rose in a small upright truss in April - May. This is a handsome foliage plant with a glossy leaf surface on the top, and fine rust powdery indumentum on underside. Height 80-120cm in 10 years.Named after G.W. Traill (1836-1897), botanist and father-in-law of the great plant collector, George Forrest.
Recommended for fantastic foliage.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position:...
Rhododendron tsariense
Gorgeous pinky white flowers with crimson spotting in April. A rare plant with superb foliage that has dense rufous indumentum on the lower leaf surface and sometimes on the upper surface. A lovely compact slow growing plant that needs good drainage to perform well. Avoid using fertilizer with this plant. Height 40-50cm in 10 years.
Ideal for small gardens.
Plantsman range.
Ideal position: sheltered...
Rhododendron uvariifolium 'Reginald Childs'
Pretty pinky white bell shaped flowers, with a dark central blotch in a large truss of 12 to 18 flowers, in March - April. This is a handsome foliage plant with silvery woolly indumentum on the underside of the leaves and wonderful silver new growth. Height 150-180 cm in 10 years. A choice clone of R. uvariifolium introduced by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Wakehurst Place, and registered in 1976.
Sometimes...
Rhododendron wardii LS&T5679
This plant has lovely saucer shaped clear yellow flowers, with a wine red blotch, appearing in May to June. Wonderful blueish new growth opening to dark green oblong or oblong-oval leaves. This is definitely one of our favourites that we would highly recommend. Height 120cm in 10 years. It needs a choice position with excellent drainage to perform well.Named for Frank Kingdon Ward (1885-1958), noted...
Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Koichiro Wada' AGM
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...
Rhododendron yuefengense
This is a new species recognised by Chinese authorities (Rhodos of China volume 3). Pale pink bell shaped flowers in June, on a dense compact plant, with attractive rounded leaves. It flowers profusely from a young age, and the flowers seem to last well. Height 75-100cm in 10 years, growing in a broad mounded habit. Unusual, and sort after.
• Recommended for compact and lower growing.• Easy...