Rhododendron TREES At Grey Abbey

[seanmckinney]

My brother is over for our Mum's birthday, he is an Anglo Saxon 'freak' and wanted to do some more sight seeing, so on Friday we went to some sites in Co Down. One of the places visited was Grey Abbey and there I saw these spectacular red flowered trees. I asked my brother what they were, he said Rhododendrons!
There are at least two and they are the size of mature oak trees. I was amazed, I never knew they grew to the size of trees.
This is a poor attempt at showing one of them, they are in the grounds of the "big house" and in a private garden so us "mere mortals" can only see them over the 'hedge'



Of course I was a plonker and forgot to check the film camera for film and happily clicked away a whole roll of non existant film. When I found out, at the end of the day at Inch abbey, such words probably havent been heard in the grounds of Inch abbey for a thousand years. I also lost my glasses somewhere along the way.

My brother had a good day though and was almost exstatic?? about the Cisterian abbey at Grey abbey and "classical" Victorian "romantic landscaping" of the grounds of the "big house" to show off the ruins from the big house. I'd guess the Rhododendrons are part of that landscaping

[sweetleaf]

WOW! I didnt know they could get that big either Sean!

[4pygmies]

I'm not a great fan of Rhododendrons or Azaleas in domestic gardens - I think the way to see them at their absolute best is like those in your photos Sean, in woodlands and with towering banks of fantastic flowers. Seen like that they are wonderful!

[plocket]

Rhodies and azaleas are STUNNING in the right environment Sean and your photo is great. They can be HUGE plants and sometimes very dominant, but I like them all the same. I hope to visit the Dorothy Clive garden soon, which has a fabulous Rhodie and Azalea garden. Have you any more photos Sean?

[seanmckinney]

"Have you any more photos Sean?" Not of the rhododendrums but there are quite a few of the ruins etc

[plocket]

Is there any chance we could see them?

[seanmckinney]

We had a look at some places in Co Antrim yesterday, unfortunately no real ruins but the RC chapel in Portglenone has some impressive rhododendrums in bloom, photos to follow when I get them off the camera. Of course rhododendrums may be old hat to experienced gardeners but, in bloom and having just 'recognised them', I find them impressive. The same thing applies to pieris and I now see that everywhere around here.
I dont think they are anywhere near as big as the trees at Greyabbey but they are impressive none the less. Quite oddly the smaller rhododendrums in the abbey literally "just across the road" from the chapel were just coming into bloom

[plocket]

WOW!!!!!

[The witch]

Double WOW