Rhododendron as it is commonly found in Ireland, is an evergreen, dense, robust and woody flowering shrub. It does not die back in Winter but instead establishes itself especially in woodland areas where its year-round presence greatly inhibits other plants from being able to grow.

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It grows very fast and produces a large quantity of seeds (c. 1 million seeds from a naturally seeded plant) as well as having the ability to regrow new plants from cut stems. It produces flowers after the plant has reached an age of approximately 10 to 12 years of age and it is from these flowers that seeds will be produced. Its ability to massively reproduce has led to it colonising vast areas especially in and around KIllarney, Co. Kerry where an ongoing effort to manage it is underway.

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It has also been noted that Rhododendron, as a means to safeguard itself and maximise its growth potential releases polyphenols into the soil and also reduces cation mobilisation. This essentially prevents other native plants from growing nearby as the Rhododendron essentially is changing the soil chemistry around it to suit itself.