Apparently we have similar situations in the Southern Appalachians:

Rhododendrons

Mountain Laurels

Claire

There were areas around Lake Como in Italy where the rhodies are "rampant," too. We were surprised to see some that had been "limbed up" (correct term?) so that they resembled old trees.

~ Hilda

Who knew indeed? Not only the rhododendrons but that someone else here reads the Irish Times.

An interesting article I missed but forwarded to friends--thank you.

I have read about 'laurel hells' in the southern Appalachians but never rhododendrons.

That's interesting that they're referred to as hells. In New Zealand they're called 'dells' or 'dales', and were a variety of rhodies and azaleas which colonized about 20-30 vertical feet of growing space where ever they wanted. It was something out of a dream..