Littledale Hall Estate, Lancashire, UK - The Big Pink Rhododendron

A few pics and information about the big pink rhododendron on Littledale Hall Estate.

I haven't got great records and I hate filing. However, just in case someone in the future is interested, I've done what I can. I wish I had more information about the Estate, so here's my bit for posterity

A little background - My parents (Fred and Joan Leigh) moved to Littledale Hall in 1960 after my Dad's uncle & his sisters (Richard, Alice and Elisabeth Harrison) bought the Estate in 1957.

The big rhododendron has been flowering (usually at its best around the end of May) since before we moved here. However, looking at some old photos and assessing the condition of the shrubs (there are quite a few that make up what looks to be one gigantic shrub); the plants have been in decline for many years.

My brother, Stephen (who, in my opinion, has excellent chain-saw skills) agreed to put in the hard work to rejuvenate the shrubs by cutting them down.

I hope this slideshow gives an outline of the reasons and outcomes of our actions.

Pausing the video is probably necessary to work out the comparison pics.

This slideshow could definitely be better, but this is as good as it's going to get from me ... I can't say it was much fun putting it together, but it's one thing off my 'to do list' :)