Unknow to me

Hi Guys can anybody help indentify the flower bush/tree taken on an estate andjcent to an lake.
Picture Spec:- Canon 40D with Canon 200mm f2.8L USM @ 1/320 sec with ISO of 400

Looks like a rhododendron.

Agree with paul on this - lovely to look at, but a bit of a menace generally this one as it's so invasive: that said I've got a fox's den in the midst of one near me but no cubs in purple to show for it sadly.

Mark

Thanks guys Not being a horticulturist (I think thats how you spell it) I wasn't sure.
Regards
Richard.

I used to live in Crowthorne near Reading and these were everywhere-beautiful at this time of year but as stated very invasive-I think they were introduced from Asia, I too had a fox den under one

Dave

Beautiful but deadly as the others have said.

I remember when I lived in Ibsley on the edge of New Forest, I took part in weekend Rhododendron raids organised by the foresters to remove acres of the stuff. If I remember right, the plants release a toxin via it's root system so kill competing plants.

Useless factoid: If you are into breeding exotic silkmoths (as I used to be), the larva of the Indian Moon Moth thrive on Rhododendron

Barrie

I think its Rhododendron Ponticam if its the escapee .
Cheers
SteveHL

Yes looks like R. ponticum. Spent many a happy hour clearing the stuff from woodland on National Trust properties in the North West. Might be one of the tasks on Friday.