To go direct to plant ordering click on the links in the table below or Plant Catalogue on the main menu bar (above right), which will give you all the plant options or scroll down to learn more about Cross Hills plants.
We have gained a reputation for our quality, hardy open-ground grown plants. Growing in our nursery at an altitude of 540 metres, they are hardened off by snow and frosts. They have plenty of room to grow into excellent shaped plants and with our lovely free draining loam soil, develop good sized rootballs, guaranteeing an instant start in your garden.
Our Standard rhododendrons are gracing courtyards and gardens throughout New Zealand including a feature planting at Government House.
We have a great selection of these 'Standard' rhododendrons, grown exclusively at Cross Hills Gardens.
These special plants are very labour intensive and involve many hours of work to create. It takes a minimum of five years from the time the grafting stock is propagated till the smallest grade of these standards are ready for sale.
We have chosen varieties that have good form and will look even better as years go by - 'they improve with age'.
Standards can either be planted in tubs as a focal point on a patio or near a front door, or just as effectively as a feature planting in your garden. Either way - a landscaper's delight and something rather unique to your garden.
After receiving an inquiry we will email a photo of the plant along with its description, available size and the price including the approximate freight cost.
Varieties available this season are priced from $130.00.
Plant heights vary from 100cms - 320cms with the width of the head size from 30cms - 180cms. The head of the Standard will increase in both width and height, but the actual height of the trunk will stay the same.
These make one of the most brilliant splashes of colour in the spring garden. All produce brilliant colours, have large trusses and as an added bonus, the Autumn foliage colours up well. They look impressive when planted in a group. Deciduous azaleas are hardy and grow best when planted in full sun.
For practical reasons we grow our evergreen azaleas in planter bags. Our peat based potting mix usually produces a solid root mass. On removal from the bag, we suggest you tease out the outside third of the rootball so these roots will blend in with your soil. As with all new plantings, keep soil moist until the plant is well established.
The descriptions of our azaleas frequently refer to the term hose-in-hose. Hose-in-hose flowers have enlarged sepals, which are the small leaf-like parts at the base of the flower where it joins the stem. Sometimes you hear them referred to as ‘cup and saucer’ type, with one layer of the flower sitting inside the other.
The heights listed within the descriptions, are approximately what can be expected in 10 years in average garden conditions.
The strain of azalea is bracketed after the name e.g. Chinzan (Satsuki).
Some varieties are available in three sizes. The $12.00 ones average 30cms (height) x 25cms (width) and the $20.00 ones 40cms x 35cms.
A drop down price box indicates those varieties where we have multiple sizes available. Please select the drop down price box if you require a larger plant.
Rhododendrons naturally grow in a cooler climate but many of them will tolerate warmer conditions too. Those that we consider should grow quite well in a warmer climate are identified as such throughout the website.
Please CONTACT US if you would like to discuss your selection with us.
It is not our policy to mass produce easy to root varieties, so some of the harder to root varieties, we graft. We graft onto a non-suckering stock but the occasional shoot may still appear during the first year or two, these can easily be rubbed off.
Our well grown 3 and 4 year old plants range in height from 30cm-90cm depending on variety.
Many of the varieties you see listed we have in advanced size plants, ranging from 90cm up to 250cm. These plants are especially grown to make an immediate impact in your garden. Select the drop down price box indicating the 6yr plus price and we will contact you with the size and price options available of that particular variety. Following this discussion, Rodney can then email you photos of the plants discussed along with the approximate freight cost, if required.
The heights listed in the descriptions are approximately what can be expected in 10 years in average garden conditions. Many variables such as climate, soil types, exposure to wind, feeding, etc can influence the growth of your plants.
Use the table below for our recommended spacing between rhododendrons when planting. These heights are the approximate height in 10 years, not the height of the plant at the time of planting.
| Height up to 1 metre |
1.2 metres apart |
| Height up to 1.2 metres |
2 metres apart |
| Height up to 1.5 metres |
2.5 metres apart |
| Height up to 1.8 metres |
3 metres apart |
The table below denotes the period during which each variety flowers at Cross Hills.
| Very early |
July, August |
to September 15th |
| Early |
September 15th |
to October 15th |
| Early mid season |
October 15th |
to November 1st |
| Mid |
November 1st |
to November 15th |
| Late mid season |
November 15th |
to December 1st |
| Late |
December 1st |
to December 15th |
| Very late |
December 15th |
to January |
We have endeavoured to select flower photos that are as close as possible to their true colours. Variations in computer monitors can alter the colour so no guarantee is given in this regard. We are continually upgrading our photo library to get true representation of flower pictures. HAPPY VIEWING.
Many thanks: To Harold Greer, from Greer Gardens U.S.A. for permission to use some of his pictures.
