Róslabhras
Latin name: Rhododendron ponticum
Did you know that there are over 1,000 species of rhododendrons in the world? Most of them are native to areas in China and the Himalayas, although they have taken very well to Irish soil!
Rhododendrons
Irish name: Róslabhras Latin name: Rhododendron ponticum
©Jenny SeawrightRhododendrons
©Jenny Seawright
©Jenny Seawright
Rhododendrons
Irish name: Róslabhras Latin name: Rhododendron ponticum
©Jenny SeawrightThe rhododendron is a small shrub, and depending on the species it can either be deciduous or evergreen.
Its name comes from the Greek language. ‘Rhodos’ means ‘rose’ and ‘dendron’ means ‘tree’. It is a good name for the plant, as the big clusters of colourful flowers give a beautiful display during the summer months.
The common rhododendron is a very dense, evergreen shrub that grows to an average of five metres high. It has glossy, dark green, leathery leaves that grow in a spiral shape.
From May to June, you will start to notice the large, soft clusters of purple or pink flowers appearing. It is easy to see why so many people love rhododendrons!
Have you ever heard of the azalea plant? This is one of the species of rhododendron that is very popular. Many gardeners grow them as hedges, their showy flower displays adding lots of colour to the garden.
One species that is popular is the royal azalea. This is a thick, deciduous shrub that grows from two to four metres high. Its leaves can be quite hairy and papery to touch, leaving your fingers with a tingling sensation! They usually emerge just after the flowers begin to bloom.
Have you ever seen a royal azalea? The white-pink flowers have very distinctive small red spots on the upper petals, and release a light fragrance. The long green leaves grow in a circle of five, and in the autumn they turn a yellow and orange colour before falling off for the winter months.
Rhododendrons are beautiful shrubs, but it’s important to remember that they are also very poisonous. Some people have been known to become ill from honey that was made from bees that fed on rhododendron flowers.