Here and the Himalayas.

Rhododendrons grow in great profusion in the West of Scotland - in greater profusion , apparently, than anywhere else on earth apart from the home of the rhodie, the Himalayas. Many of our varieties were brought from there, but the plant itself was introduced to these islands in the 17th century from Switzerland. The one that appears everywhere and is now an intrusive pest in most places is Ponticum and here in Cowal it is a fortnight or so away from blooming - on my driveway, on the road to Colintraive, across the Loch at Caladh - in fact everywhere! Other varieties flower at different times (there is one in the walled garden at Culzean in Ayrshire which blooms at Christmas and which looks wonderful amidst the frost). This blip, however, is of a garden and spring flowering variety (one of several we have) which is across the lawn from our conservatory. It is a splash of welcome colour amongst the slowly emerging green leaves.