ROOT IT OUT
Fast-growing plant in bloom NOW that can wipe thousands of pounds from house prices – how to spot it
The dreaded plant can damage paths, fences and property.
AN INVASIVE fast-growing plant that can wipe thousands of pounds off the value of your home is hitting its peak flowering season - here's how to spot if it's threatening your property.
The dreaded Japanese knotweed is the scourge of property owners and can grow 10cm in a single day during August and early September.
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The plant is listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the world’s worst invasive species.
If not controlled it can take over gardens and cause long-term damage to buildings, paths and roads as well as sewage systems and drains.
It can even grow through concrete foundations.
Experts at Japanese Knotweed Specialists have shared tips to help spot the plant before it takes a hold in your garden and hits your wallet.
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During the summer Japanese knotweed is at its most visible so now is the time to be looking out.
How to spot Japanese knotweed
Japanese Knotweed Specialists have highlighted three key things to keep your eyes peeled for.
The first is white- or cream-coloured flowers.
The flowers grow in clusters which can be 6cm to 15cm long and are feathery in appearance.
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The second indicator of Japanese knotweed is heart shaped leaves with a pointed tip.
The leaves range from 7cm to 14cm long and often grow in an alternate pattern along the stem.
Map reveals worst areas for Japanese knotweed with fears plant will wipe thousands off house prices
The third sign that an invading plant could be Japanese knotweed is hollow bamboo-like stems, which can be green, red or purple.
The stems have a zigzag pattern and can be between 3m and 4m tall.
If left unchecked the stems can form dense groupings that are difficult to penetrate or control.
What to do if you find Japanese knotweed
If you think you might have Japanese knotweed on your property it's important to act quickly.
The plant can extend underground 7m horizontally and up to 3m deep, which makes it hard to eliminate and allows it to spread quickly.
According to Japanese Knotweed Specialists it's crucial to act in summer before stems begin to die in the autumn.
But, the experts warned homeowners not to assume one treatment will be enough to get rid of the pest.
To fully control the infestation multiple treatments are needed over several years.
The temptation to simply cut, mow or burn the knotweed should also be avoided as it can grow back from tiny small or root fragments left behind.
To remove the threat Japanese Knotweed Specialists warned not to relay on home remedies but to seek professional advice.
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The company also warned homeowners not to dispose of the plant in household or garden waste where it could end up rooting elsewhere and causing a new infestation.
The Most Invasive Plants in the UK
Several non-native species have been introduced to the UK over the years. These are the most problematic plants to look out for in your garden.
Japanese Knotweed
It is an offence against the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act to grow Japanese Knotweed.
It might not be poisonous, it is extremely fast-growing and can seriously damage buildings, paving and structures.
Giant Hogweed
It might look rather attractive, but Giant Hogweed can be pretty dangerous.
The plant's sap is toxic and can cause burns or blisters if it comes into contact with the skin.
Himalayan Balsam
Himalayan Balsam is another plant you need to keep your eyes on.
It produces an array of pretty pink flowers, but one plant is said to be able to spread 2,500 seeds, that are "launched" over a distance of seven metres.
And like other invasive plants, Himalayan Balsam wipes out other plants, growing up to three metres high, drawing out sunlight for smaller plants.
New Zealand Pigmyweed
New Zealand Pigmyweed is an aquatic plant that can cause havoc in still water, such as lakes and ponds or even slow moving water, such as canals.
It also impacts animals, such as frogs, fish and newts, as it can form a dense mat on the water’s surface, therefore starving the water of oxygen.
Rhododendron
An incredibly beautiful plant, loved my many gardeners, but the Rhododendron is technically classed as an invasive specie due to its rapid growth in woodlands.
Unlike other invasive species mentioned on this list, it's not recommended to completely remove or kill Rhododendrons but instead take extra care to manage their growth, trimming and pruning them regularly.
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