Budding horticulture team set to tackle a growing menace

A GROUP of locals will meet today to decide how to cut an aggressive incomer down to size.

The spread of the non-native rhododendron comes at a cost to native species in Scotland, particularly in the west, where it thrives on the damp climate.

Of all the invasive species, the rhododendron pink ponticum is believed to pose the greatest threat to local biodiversity. Robin Payne, policy and advice manager at SNH, said: "There is no doubt that rhododendron is a huge problem for Scotland's native biodiversity, particularly woodlands and especially in the west. Control has been carried out for a number of years now in many parts of the country, with varying degrees of success.

"It is important that we continue to learn from these experiences and develop more effective ways of tackling the problem.

"That is what this event is all about. "