Tied up in Knotweed

Peter Dowdall on an EU-wide plan to tackle invasive plants which are becoming a major nuisance here too.

There are aliens among us. A statement more often associated with bad Hollywood movies but I’m talking about horticultural horror stories and not the type with three legs and eyes out on stalks.

There are currently 59 plants listed on the National Biodiversity Centre’s website as invasive and care should be given when choosing any plant for the garden, but particularly if it is a new species or one that you don’t know. Try and find out as much information on its eventual height and spread as you can. You could be introducing a problem plant.