Rhododendron clearing advice

Native plants need a helping hand if they are to recover from invasive rhododendron, Scottish ecologists have discovered.

A study in the Journal of Applied Ecology reveals that at woodland sites that were cleared of rhododendron 30 years ago, much native flora has still not returned.

Instead of dramatic displays of primroses, violets, wild garlic, ferns and grasses, only dense mats of mosses and liverworts had returned.

When rhododendron is removed, these plants quickly recolonise, and by the time grass and other plant seeds arrive, the thick mossy mat prevents them from germinating.

Eradication programmes cost around £8.6million a year and the results of this study show that as well as removing rhododendron, land managers should also consider clearing moss and reseeding. Samantha Herbert