COUNCIL TACKLES ROOT OF THE PROBLEM OF INVASIVE PLANTS
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:01 pmCOUNCIL TACKLES ROOT OF THE PROBLEM OF INVASIVE PLANTS
Argyll and Bute Council is to launch a campaign to weed out the spread of invasive non-native plants.
The ‘What’s for the Garden stays in the Garden’ initiative aims to educate people about the potential consequences of disposing of their garden waste irresponsibly.
It also hopes to encourage people to research plants they have never heard of before buying them – and always read the labels properly.
While gardens across Argyll and Bute have been greatly enriched by the introduction of plants from abroad, a small number have proved highly invasive in the wider environment, threatening our biodiversity and so compromising our habitats and native species, which makes Argyll & Bute a biodiversity haven.
This approach will encourage people to consider what is a problem in their garden and manage it in a sensible way.
The control of these invasive species is difficult and costly, yet many are widely available with little indication of the damage they can do if they are allowed to escape into the countryside or are disposed of carelessly. The threat to native species and habitats from these plants is serious.
The campaign will stress the importance of people knowing what they are buying and growing. Among its suggestions will be:
• Avoid using plants known to be invasive - there are usually many alternative plants better suited to gardens.
• Do some research on unfamiliar plants. Be wary of labels and descriptions that use terms such as ‘vigorous’, ‘spreading’, ‘fast growing’, ‘self-seeds’, ’good ground cover’, etc.
• Consider a non-natives plant’s invasive qualities when exchanging plants with friends. Much of the spread of Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is down to gardeners gifting seeds to friends.
• Beware of introducing an invasive species inadvertently as a ‘hitch-hiker’ - many invasive pondweeds, in particular, are introduced to gardens in this way. It is always a good idea to quarantine newly purchased pond plants to see what else might come with it.
• Many invasive plants are introduced to gardens in topsoil. Always try to see the topsoil before you buy it
•Remember,it is an offence to dump any green waste. The Dumb Dumpers initiative applies to green waste too.
Councillor Robert Macintyre, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for Economy, Environment and Rural Affairs, said: “It is perhaps natural to assume that its harmless to throw your plant waste over the garden fence into the countryside, but it can have serious consequences for local biodiversity.
“Non-native, invasive plants can look pretty in a controlled environment such as a tended garden, but they become a real danger to other, native plants once they gain a foothold in the wild.
“I would encourage gardeners to avoid buying these plants if at all possible. Scotland has some wonderful native species which will not only look as attractive, but will also not cause the sort of problems which other, non-native plants are doing.”
The ‘What’s for the Garden stays in the Garden’ campaign will be launched shortly.
For more information on these issues, go to www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/biodiversity/
ENDS
Argyll and Bute Council is to launch a campaign to weed out the spread of invasive non-native plants.
The ‘What’s for the Garden stays in the Garden’ initiative aims to educate people about the potential consequences of disposing of their garden waste irresponsibly.
It also hopes to encourage people to research plants they have never heard of before buying them – and always read the labels properly.
While gardens across Argyll and Bute have been greatly enriched by the introduction of plants from abroad, a small number have proved highly invasive in the wider environment, threatening our biodiversity and so compromising our habitats and native species, which makes Argyll & Bute a biodiversity haven.
This approach will encourage people to consider what is a problem in their garden and manage it in a sensible way.
The control of these invasive species is difficult and costly, yet many are widely available with little indication of the damage they can do if they are allowed to escape into the countryside or are disposed of carelessly. The threat to native species and habitats from these plants is serious.
The campaign will stress the importance of people knowing what they are buying and growing. Among its suggestions will be:
• Avoid using plants known to be invasive - there are usually many alternative plants better suited to gardens.
• Do some research on unfamiliar plants. Be wary of labels and descriptions that use terms such as ‘vigorous’, ‘spreading’, ‘fast growing’, ‘self-seeds’, ’good ground cover’, etc.
• Consider a non-natives plant’s invasive qualities when exchanging plants with friends. Much of the spread of Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is down to gardeners gifting seeds to friends.
• Beware of introducing an invasive species inadvertently as a ‘hitch-hiker’ - many invasive pondweeds, in particular, are introduced to gardens in this way. It is always a good idea to quarantine newly purchased pond plants to see what else might come with it.
• Many invasive plants are introduced to gardens in topsoil. Always try to see the topsoil before you buy it
•Remember,it is an offence to dump any green waste. The Dumb Dumpers initiative applies to green waste too.
Councillor Robert Macintyre, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for Economy, Environment and Rural Affairs, said: “It is perhaps natural to assume that its harmless to throw your plant waste over the garden fence into the countryside, but it can have serious consequences for local biodiversity.
“Non-native, invasive plants can look pretty in a controlled environment such as a tended garden, but they become a real danger to other, native plants once they gain a foothold in the wild.
“I would encourage gardeners to avoid buying these plants if at all possible. Scotland has some wonderful native species which will not only look as attractive, but will also not cause the sort of problems which other, non-native plants are doing.”
The ‘What’s for the Garden stays in the Garden’ campaign will be launched shortly.
For more information on these issues, go to www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/biodiversity/
ENDS
