Rhododendrons: Ponticum alternative

Hello,
I am about to start planting up an area as a tree collection but first I need to plant some shelter belt species. In the past Rhododendron ponticum was used widely in the UK and although I really like the plant for its flower, I can no longer plant it due to its pest status. Are there any other evrgreen Rhodo's on the market which would make a good shelter belt plant but that aren't likely to take over the world?

 

Probably any of a number of Hardy Hybrid rhododendrons. Many of these will be as easily and cheaply produced, except perhaps were R. ponticum was raised from seed.

 

Just hope they're not grafted on R. ponticum rootstocks!

 

Yeah, we've had problems with older plants in our collection that were grafted onto Ponticum. The original grafted varieties are long gone and we've spent the last few years clearing the ponticum aftermath!