Now, before I get attacked by the Rhododendron Fanciers' Club, I do like rhododendrons.
True, rhododendron armies invade the countryside wreaking havoc on fragile eco-systems - but they don't do it on the chalk hills where I live, because chalky soil spells DEATH to the lot of them.
Anyway, rhododendrons are not all bad. Rhododendron flowers can sparkle quite beautifully through a dull spring wood.
But their name: rhododendron. It's so heavy and clumping. No one can say it without sounding as though they've got a bad cold.
Surely, surely someone can come up with something a bit prettier. How about evergreen azalea, for instance?
All suggestions very welcome!
Word Not To Use Today: rhododendron. This word is from two Greek words, rhodos, which means rose, and dendron which means tree.
Rose Tree would be a much nicer name altogether for a rhododendron; but I rather think that it's already been taken.
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