England's biggest bush blooms early as caring gardener blames climate change

11 March 2024 , 21:52

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This is England's biggest rhododendron (Image: Simon Czapp/Solent News)

England's biggest rhododendron has bloomed a month early - with its gardener putting it down to global warming.

After a disappointing show last summer, the record-breaking bush is back in all its glory this year with a magnificent bloom of red and pink. The huge rhododendron - dubbed "shrubzilla" - has bloomed a month earlier this year following a February that was the hottest on record.

The bush, on the grounds of South Lodge Hotel in Horsham, West Sussex, has a circumference of over 115 metres - bigger than ever before. Typically rhododendrons grow no more than 6ft high but this one - planted by Victorian explorer Frederick Du Cane Godman around 120 years ago - has expanded dramatically over the years.

The huge bush has bloomed early this year (Simon Czapp/Solent News)

The huge arboreum smithii, also known as the Old Cornish rhododendron species, has been affectionately nicknamed "The Big Rhodey" by hotel head gardener Paul Collins and his team. Mr Collins estimates the bush is 50 metres high, and 50 metres wide - but admitted "it's just so big I can't tell you exactly."

The 54-year-old, who has maintained the plant for the past 12 years, said:
"Last year was very dry and frosty and it just didn't do well, but this year it's bloomed really well. Every year it seems to be earlier and earlier that it flowers. I started here about 12 years ago and it would bloom at the end of April or beginning of May but now... it's the beginning of March so it's quite a difference.

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"I think it's global warming and it's just an example of it because it's so much warmer. It's definitely a noticeable thing, it's something you can measure it against, I suppose."

Dan Warburton