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Welcome to the Scottish Invasives blog. Invasive non-native species (or INNS) are plants and animals that have been introduced to areas outside their natural range. INNS are currently recognised as one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. The Scottish Invasives blog is intended as an informal forum for those interested in invasive species control. If you wish to contribute, please get in contact. You can click on any of the images to see them at higher resolution.

Tuesday, 3 August 2010

Introducing Rhododendron ponticum ...


Rhododendrons are a favourite of many gardens but this one has got out of control. Introduced to the UK around 1763, Rhododendron ponticum was favoured as a hardy flowering plant, popular on Victorian estates to provide colour and game bird cover. Since then, it and it's hydrids (often referred to collectively as wild rhododendrons or 'rhoddies') have 'naturalised' and spread across hillsides and woodlands throughout the UK, posing a very significant threat to native mosses, lichens, wildflowers and woodland plants and the wildlife they support.

The Highland Rhododendron Project aims to support land managers and communities tackling this spread in and around designated sites in Highland and promote and disseminate best practice in its removal

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