Pretty but poisonous (Rhododendrons & Azaleas)

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Rhododendrons & Azaleas
Date:	14/05/08 (612 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Looks beautiful

Disadvantages: invasive

Victorian Horticulturalists in the 18 C traveled far lands and brought home with then many plants which they introduced to our country. The Rhododendron was one of these it is native in the western and eastern Mediterranean, Spain, Portugal and Turkey and also occurs east in countries to Asia.

As a child I can remember traveling through Woburn Park to visit an aunt and my mother being awed to see these magnificent flowers

The Rhododendron belongs to a genus of flowering plants in the Ericaceae family species and most have showy flower displays. This genus contains many plants including the azalea. The rhododendron has small shrubs10 -20m cm tall also large trees 50 meters tall

The rhododendron is planted in many Victorian parks and gardens gives a fantastic display in May, June time. Kew gardens have a really good display. There are many other rhododendron displays and walks available to see these magnificent plants, for example see http://www.bowood-house.co.uk/rhododendrons.html. http://www.sauterelle.co.uk/ProspectHouse.htm and http://www.gardens-guide.net/gardenpages/_0381.htm

When I think about Rhododendron I usually mean Rhododendron ponticum this plant is a tall bushy plant it has large leathery lanceolot leaves that are evergreen. The bush grows quite densely letting no light in to the ground beneath it. This means no understory of other plants.
The flowers grow in numerous large clusters on the branches are shades of pinks and purples, these produce many seeds.

There is evidence that a chemical is produced by Rhododendron ponticum this inhibits the germination and growth of other plants .The rhododendron is host to the Oak sudden death fungus, this is a problem to American oaks but I do not think it is in England ..... Yet.
The leaves of this plant are poisonous to animals so no animals feed on this plant, however insects such as bees visit the rhododendron flowers. But they do not use the leaves as a food plant it will provide cover for birds too.

Although magnificent this plant is as a nuisance it is very invasive. This plant can be found in woodlands where it has escaped from parks and country gardens.
Rhododendron ponticum can reproduce by seed, or by roots growing on branches that reach the soil.
There is very little to kill this plant so looks like it is here to stay.

The rhododendron just needs good management to stop it spreading in our countryside.
I believe it is only the rhododendron ponticum that is so poisonous and gives so many problems.

In summary a beautiful poisonous invasive plant .

Summary: A large bush introduced by the victorians