22 April 2022
We’ve got all sorts of rhododendrons at Upper Woodburn. Some specimen ‘nice’ rhododendrons that don’t spread and look beautiful and are generally well behaved. Like this beautiful red one that sets off the sunset behind the roundhouse so nicely and has just flowered this week.
Unfortunately we also have plenty of the Rhododendron ponticum, a highly invasive species which is threatening woodlands all over Scotland. At present they are mainly in the gardens and the lower oak woodlands, but we have a plan to try and take out all the ponticum to help protect the woodland.
We started with a huge one that was completely overshadowing the Lodge and the outdoor seating area. We’ve made good progress so far taking down the multi-storey giant. And I have just received some Scotia Seeds native wildflower mix to plant on the bare earth that’s left.