Is it illegal to grow non-native invasive plants and how much can I be fined?
INVASIVE non-native plants can cause a huge headache for homeowners, especially if they spread into the next door neighbours’ garden.
Here’s all you need to know to avoid being landed with a hefty fine for growing one of the banned plants.
Is it illegal to grow non-native invasive plants?
There are a number of non-native invasive plants that are illegal to grow in the UK.
They can spread quickly and cause huge amounts of damage.
Japanese knotweed has been an increasing source of neighbourhood disputes across the UK in recent years.
The fast-growing weed has been dubbed “the UK’s most aggressive, destructive and invasive” weed by the Environment Agency, amid fears it can wipe thousands of pounds off property prices.
Once you can identify the most common criminal plants, it’s important to prevent them from spreading as soon as possible,”
Jack Sutcliffe
The Government has a list of banned plants which can land homeowners with a fine if they’re found to be growing them in their garden.
Which plants can you be fined for growing in the UK?
The following are some of the plants you could find growing in your garden which experts say you should have removed immediately.
Japanese Knotweed
The plant has bamboo-like stems and produces clusters of small white flowers during the summer, spreading rapidly – it can also cause significant damage to property and infrastructure.
Once established, Japanese knotweed can be difficult to get rid of, and it’s suggested, only professionals should remove it, as even the smallest piece left in the ground can regrow.
Spear Thistle
Considered a noxious weed, the spear thistle has spiky leaves and purple flowers.
Common Ragwort
One of the most easily recognisable plants on the list, the common ragwort has bright yellow flowers and feathery leaves.
It’s a common weed but is toxic to livestock.
Broad-Leaved Dock
It’s got broad leaves and spikes of small yellow flowers, and isn’t sensitive to weather conditions – meaning it spreads incredibly easily.
Curled Dock
The curled dock is another noxious weed and and has distinctive curly leaves, as well as spikes of small yellow flowers.
Rhododendron Ponticum
It has evergreen leaves and large clusters of pink or purple flowers, and is poisonous to vegetation and wildlife.
It is difficult to eradicate once established.
Himalayan Balsam
The Himalayan Balsam is one of the quickest to spread.
Each plant has around 800 seeds that are easily transported by wind, animals, or water, and will grow again.
Giant Hogweed
This toxic plant, recognisable by their large white flowers and towering height, is harmful to humans, and can cause significant wounds to the skin.
New Zealand Pigmyweed
The New Zealand Pigmyweed is an invasive plant, with small green leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers, and poses a threat to everything around her.
How much can I be fined for growing non-native invasive plants?
The fine for growing non-native invasive plants can be up to £30,000.
As well as the fine, there is a risk of thousands of pounds of damage to your property if the plants are found growing in the garden.
They can also knock thousands off the value of your house.
HOW TO SPOT A JAPANESE KNOTWEED
HOW to spot Japanese Knotweed and what to do if you find it.
GARDENING expert, Kendal Platt, who runs Adventures with Flowers, said: “Japanese knotweed shoots look similar to bamboo shoots growing 2- 3metres tall”.
They are hollow and coloured red in the Spring and turn green in the summer.
Their leaves which appear in Spring are shield or heart-shaped with a pointed tip and grow at staggered intervals along the length of the shoots.
They can grow up to 20cm long and die back in winter leaving just the brown dead looking canes above ground.
The flowers appear in late summer as bunches of creamy white flowers growing in amongst the leaves.
It spreads through its rhizomes (underground root system) which are dark brown on the outside and orange on the inside.
They can burrow up to 3 metres under ground causing damage to buildings and break easily, so can be hard to remove completely.
If you find it in your garden it’s important to call in a specialist Japanese Knotweed removal company.
They use a glyphosate based herbicide which when injected into the plant at the right time of year can kill it.
It may take a few years of repeated application to eradicate the plant completely from your property which is why many removal companies recommend a glyphosate treatment programme over a number of years.
There have even been reports of lawsuits in the hundreds of thousands of pounds, after the plants spread into neighbours’ gardens.
If a landowner has knotweed growing in the garden of their property they should make every effort to control the knotweed and prevent it from spreading onto a neighbouring property.
If they fail to do this they could be held responsible for the damage caused by the encroachment.