Information, Resources & Advice

Plants, Gardens & Nature

Environmental Matters
Plants: Invasive
Avoid invasive species, particularly if they are not native to this country. Since the time of the Victorian plant hunters, many species have been brought here. From a gardening perspective this is a pleasure and a joy, however, environmentally these species do not belong here and can become a serious pest (e.g. Japanese Knotweed), ecologically they can become naturalized and a part of our vegetation (e.g. species of Rhododendron, Fucshia & Crocosmia). Whether they do harm or not is debateable, but they do change the ecosystems that were there before their arrival. A few plants may not be a problem, but an invasive species can dramatically alter the landscape with great knock on effects for wildlife and ecosystem functioning, becoming weeds (unwanted plants) and even cause economic damage. Although not known to be invasive in natural landscapes, in gardens some plants should be contained to avoid them spreading and becoming a problem - especially most mint species/varieties (Mentha), Houttuynia and some bamboos etc...