The Woodland Trust Scotland has initiated a public appeal, urging visitors to garden centres across Scotland to report any stores still selling Rhododendron ponticum. This invasive plant is blamed for significant damage to the country's woodlands, particularly its temperate rainforests.
The ornamental shrub, introduced from Asia centuries ago, now forms dense thickets that suppress native species and hinder the regeneration of trees and plants. Despite millions of pounds being invested in controlling its spread in the wild, the plant continues to proliferate.
"It is already an offence to allow ponticum to grow in the wild, but perfectly legal to plant it in your garden from where its seeds can spread freely," said Simon Ritchie, Woodland Trust Scotland Policy & Advocacy Manager. "We are spending millions of pounds as a country mopping up a mess without first switching off the tap. It is insanity and grossly irresponsible."
Ritchie emphasized that a voluntary approach has yielded limited success, with the plant still being sold and planted. He stated that the time for further action is now.
The campaign aligns with the Scottish Liberal Democrats' 2026 election manifesto pledge to ban the sale of Rhododendron ponticum. Andrew Baxter MSP, the Scottish Lib Dem Rural Affairs spokesperson, described the ban as a "sensible step," noting the plant's toxicity to sheep and its detrimental impact on native woodlands by degrading soil and blocking sunlight. He also highlighted the millions of taxpayer pounds currently spent on its control.
The Woodland Trust Scotland is asking the public to help build a clearer picture of where the plant is still being sold. "The public can help protect Scotland’s environment by reporting places ponticum is being sold to us," Ritchie added. The charity aims to collaborate with garden centres, but this requires evidence of the scale of the problem.
Ultimately, the trust advocates for a legal ban on the sale of Rhododendron ponticum. They also advise gardeners to check whether other rhododendron varieties have been grafted onto ponticum rootstock or hybridised with the invasive species, as these can pose similar ecological risks.