Rhododendrons are unfairly maligned

Page 12 of the Lochaber Times and The Oban Times (April 5) had an article about a rhododendron festival. It started well with correct information about the 1,000 different species. However, after the first five paragraphs it descended into the usual ill-informed ‘invasive species’ and ‘eradication’ theme.

This continued through the rest of the article painting rhododendron as an unwanted, damaging, invasive species.

At no point do you stress that it is Rhododendron ponticum that is to blame and all those other species are beautiful garden plants with magnificent flowers and gorgeous evergreen foliage and, importantly, with no invasive tendencies.

Gardeners can plant rhododendrons with confidence knowing that they are not going to jump the fence and be an environmental disaster of the type you describe. It is such a shame you did not take the opportunity to balance your article with the correct information.

The invasion of Rhododendron ponticum has taken a long time, and landowners have chosen to ignore it until it has become a severe problem.

Forestry Commission Scotland is one of the largest landowners in Scotland, and is as guilty as anyone. Now it has woken up to the problem, the costs are high, and success depends on commitment to keep on top of it. John Roy,

Editor,

Scottish Rhododendron Society, Brecklet House, Ballachulish.