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.
Acer palmatum dissectum 'Inaba-shidare' AGM STANDARD
Dissected green to red foliage with a weeping habit. Colour lasts well during the summer. This small tree has an open, light and airy appearance. Brilliant crimson autumn colour.
These Standards have a clean stem of about 50cm and have been top-work grafted at that height. Standards will always require staking with a good tree-tie to prevent wind damage. Any shoots developing on the stem or from...
Compact Rhodo Pallet Deal (30 x 3 litre plants)
Picture for guide only.
Here is a fantastic PALLET DEAL of 30 choice 3 litre sized Compact Rhododendrons that will grow to around 80-100cm in 10 years. We have grown these plants in 3 litre pots here on our nursery and they are about 20-30cm in size. They are first grade plants and look great now, and will soon grow to make a wonderful colourful addition to your garden and are suitable for containers,...
Dwarf Rhododendron anthopogon 'Betty Graham'
(POGONANTHUM (H6) Deep rose pink daphne-like flowers, which have been described as having the texture of limp tisue paper. It flowers in April - May. The oval to elliptic leaves are aromatic when rubbed and have overlapping scales on the undersides. Height up to 40cm in 10 years.
A choice selected clone with an Award of Merit in 1969.
Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much...
Dwarf Rhododendron Arctic Tern AGM
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 variety...
Dwarf Rhododendron Azurika
Image supplied and owned by Heinje
(H5) A profusion of bright azure-blue flowers in small trusses, flowering in April. Tiny dark green leaves on a neat compact growing and very hardy plant, raised in Northern Germany. Height 50-75cm in 10 years.
• Recommended for: small gardens and containers.• Easy to grow.• Ideal position: Sun or Semi-shade.• Habit: Compact.• Group:...
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 Bengal
(H5) Bright dark scarlet-red trumpet shaped flowers in a loose truss of 4-5 flowers. April flowering. Dark green leaves on a low compact spreading plant. A tough plant from Hobbie, Northern Germany. Height 25-50cm in 10 years.
• Recommended for: small gardens.• Easy to grow.• Ideal position: Some sun, away from heat.• Habit: Low, Compact, Spreading.• Group: Dwarf Rhododendron...
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 calostrotum keleticum AGM
(SALUENENSIA H6) A real dwarf gem with flatish crimson-purple flowers held above the foliage in May and June. Deep green shiny leaves forming a low mounded shrub. Height up to 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 walls and patios, particularly if planting in containers.
Recommended for containers, rock...
Dwarf Rhododendron calostrotum keleticum (Rock 58) AGM
This is a real dwarf gem with lovely flatish crimson purple flowers held above the foliage in May/June. It has deep green shiny leaves forming a low mounded shrub and we believe that Rock 58 (R58) is the finest form of this subspecies. Height up to 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 walls and patios, particularly...
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 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 Elisabeth Hobbie AGM
(H6) Scarlet-red flowers with faint dark red spots in loose trusses. Flowering in April this plant is dense and compact and has wonderful rounded foliage. 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. This is a tough plant but it dislikes too much...
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 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 Ginny Gee AGM
One of the best dwarf hybrids ever. Beautiful right pink buds open to blush pink changing to white, that completely hides the foliage. Wonderful floriferous flowering in April on a very dense and very compact plant. 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...
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 Lavendula
(H5) Large deep lavender frilly flowers with darker spots, flowering in April. Dark green, highly scented, leaves turn bronze in winter. Very tough compact growing plant bred in Northern Germany. Height 50-75cm in 10 years. Requires moist acid soil.
• Recommended for: small gardens.• Easy to grow.• Ideal position: Sun or partial shade.• Habit: Shrub.• Group: Dwarf Rhododendron...
Dwarf Rhododendron Night Sky AGM
This is an excellent neat plant with bright violet-blue flowers in trusses of about 5. Flowering in April and early May this is one of the best blues. Although the foliage can look untidy and partially defoliates in the winter, it bounces back with healthy green leaves in the spring. Height 40-60cm in 10 years. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid reflected...
Dwarf Rhododendron Patty Bee AGM
Large lemon yellow trumpet-shaped flowers in lax trusses of 6. Probably the best dwarf yellow available flowering in April. A compact plant with bronzy-plum winter foliage. Height 25-50cm in 10 years. Raised by that true Rhododendron enthusiast Warren Berg on the Olympic peninsula in Washington State, USA. Warren was a retired airline pilot and keen bee keeper who trekked in China with Ted and Romy...
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 Phalarope
This sister seedling to rhododendron Snipe has very pale pink, almost white flowers with a violet hue in late March/April. This is a very free-flowering plant with pale green leaves with a dense cmpact habit. 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.
•...
Dwarf Rhododendron Princess Anne AGM
Superb compact dwarf with small clear yellow flowers tinged green that appear in trusses of 4 to 10. This plant forms a free flowering mound in April/May on a plant with fresh green leaves, turning bronzey red in autumn with good winter foliage. 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,...
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 and drought resistant. 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...
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 Razorbill AGM
Unusual pretty light rose-pink tubular upward-pointing flowers on a dome-shaped bush flowering in May. This is a very striking and free-flowering plant that is vigorous. It is relatively drought tolerant, so although it prefers moisture, it will tolerate being planted on drier soils or near to trees. Height 60-80cm in 10 years. Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so...
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 Scarlet Wonder AGM
Stunning bright, cardinal red wavy-edged flowers appear in loose trusses in April. This is a free-flowering plant with attractive and distinctive glossy ribbed foliage. A neat growing plant which grows wider than high. 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...
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...
Dwarf Rhododendron Snipe
Pretty pale pink flowers shaded pale violet and purple, with magenta spotting, paling towards white after a couple of weeks, flowering in April. This is a very free-flowering plant with pale green leaves on a dense compact grower. 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...
Dwarf Rhododendron Tinkerbird
Stunning pure white flowers flushed pink in bud in a loose truss of 3-4 in April. This is one of the first semi dwarf scented Rhododendrons hardy enough for many areas in the UK. Please note it is only hardy to -10ºC. Surprisingly bud hardy too, but we recommend a sheltered position. Height 75-100cm in 10 years.
Dwarf Rhododendrons don't mind the sun but they hate too much heat, so do avoid...
Dwarf Rhododendron Wren AGM
Attractive clear yellow flowers in early May. This is a very free flowering plant often completely smothering the foliage. It has a low spreading habit with dark shiny foliage which turns bronzy red in winter. 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, particularly if planting in containers....
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) 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) 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 Alice AGM
Deep pink flowers fading to pale rose and almost to white in a sunny site. Tall growing and sun tolerant. Height 180cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: beautiful flowers.
Easy to grow.
Ideal position: Most garden situations.
Habit: Dense.
Group: Hardy Hybrid.
Parentage: derived from griffithianum.
Hybridization date: pre 1950 (pre 1910).
Bred by: Waterer (Bagshot). Origin: British.
Tolerant...
Rhododendron ambiguum 'Crosswater'
Pale greenish yellow wide funnel shaped flowers with darker yellow spots. Very floriforous in April. ambiguum Crosswater is a reliable clone from ambiguum raised at Crosswater Farm. 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 100-120°Cm in 10 years.
Recommended...
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 Apricot Belle
(H5) Another interesting hybrid raised by the late Ted Millais who succeeded in breeding this R. cinnabarinum xanthocodon hybrid which is resistant to the powdery mildew and is hardier than previous clones. The buds are a deep apricot colour, opening to attractive creamy bell shaped flowers in May. Interesting glaucous foliage on a bushy plant about 75-100cm in 10 years.
Recommended for: Its interesting...
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:...