Five ‘worst’ plants that are ‘illegal’ if they spread from your garden this summer

As the summer season approaches and gardeners begin to consider sprucing up their green spaces, a word of caution is being issued regarding certain plants. Dubbed “invasive”, these species can wreak havoc on both gardens and properties if they spread beyond one’s own land.

Invasive plants are non-native varieties that have a tendency to multiply uncontrollably and establish themselves in unwanted areas. It’s against the law to deliberately plant them in the wild or, if they’re already present in your garden, to let them escape and become a problem.

Interestingly, not all invasive plants are weeds; many are available for purchase at local garden centers. To assist keen gardeners, experts have identified a number of plants to steer clear of.

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According to The Express, specialists from Cel Solicitors have warned that it is considered “a criminal offence” to plant or encourage the growth of certain non-native invasive species. Offenders could face severe penalties, including a “£5,000 fine and/or two years imprisonment”.

The specialists commented: “We rounded up some of the worst offenders, most of which are so damaging to the environment they’re actually illegal to grow in the UK.”, reports the Daily Record.

Japanese knotweed

Originally imported for its beautiful white flowers, Japanese knotweed has become one of the UK’s most “incredibly invasive” plants. This rampant weed doesn’t spread via seeds but reproduces instead from a powerful and rapidly-expanding root system.

Eradicating this stubborn invader is challenging as new plants can regenerate just from fragments of roots left in the soil. A spokesperson from a law firm warned: “The best route for removal is a chemical spray or, depending on your property value, an excavation.”

Yet he also noted: “Of course, this treatment is very expensive which is why many opt to get treatment done as part of a legal claim.”

Giant hogweed

This plant which can reach heights of up to 10 feet and bears a close resemblance to an oversized cow parsley, is another troublesome invasive species. It disperses its seeds far and wide with the help of birds, other animals and waterways.

Although not as hard to control as Japanese knotweed, it still requires diligent effort to prevent its spread. The gardening experts advised: “Similar to Japanese knotweed, it is illegal to allow this weed to grow onto neighboring properties, meaning that you can make a legal claim if it has spread to your land.”

Himalayan balm

Yet another serious weed issue. It invades gardens at an alarming rate, subjugating other greenery under its rapid growth.

The specialists highlighted: “It grows rapidly and spreads quickly, smothering other vegetation as it goes.” Despite its charming pink flowers, don’t be fooled. Its rapid proliferation is frequently facilitated by innocent gardeners sharing its seeds among their friends.

Rhododendron ponticum

Each one of these plants can produce millions of tiny seeds each year that spread in the wind, and it’s “incredibly difficult to remove” by digging it up or using herbicides. Some rhododendron varieties can survive for centuries, and planting or allowing their growth is illegal in the UK.

The experts explained that the shrub is classified as an “invasive” plant due to its “fast-growing nature which causes damage” to other plants. The huge bushes on the plant block out sunlight from plants underneath, smothering most other wild plants and trees and leaving only plants that are able to grow above the plant.

Three-cornered garlic

This plant is considered as invasive as its pendent white flowers have large seeds which are attractive to ants. The ants act as a distributor and so the plant readily grows in the wild.

The plant forms very dense territories that can outcompete other spring flowers like primroses and violets. It is most common in southern and western Britain, but is on the rise and spreading further north.

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