Rhododendron ponticum, Common rhododendron

Rhododendron is popular evergreen shrub used as ornamental plant. 

Often it’s been grafted with other more attractive rhododendrons. It has very invasive character.

This rhododendron is located on the Fallowfield Loop. Its location is very shady and the soil conditions are also very damp, which explains the good health of the plant. Some of the seeds were still visible,

 and it was getting ready to flower soon.

The Rhododendron shrub grows up to 5m in height.

Its leaves are dark green, shiny and leathery with elliptical shape, up to 18 cm long.

The flowers grow in clusters and are 4-6cm long, bell-shaped with pinkish red colours. 

The shrub flowers from May until June.

It bares dry capsules containing numerous flat seeds.