Garden waste is a fact of life and if not disposed of properly by composting, burning or bringing it to a civil amenity site for composting, it can propagate and infest the countryside and areas around towns compromising our native plant and animal species.
Guidance for gardeners
Our gardens have been greatly enriched by the introduction of plants from abroad, but a small number have proved highly invasive in the wider environment, threatening natural habitats and native species. By their nature, they are usually a problem in the garden as well. The control of these species is difficult and costly, yet many are still widely available with little indication of the damage they can do if they are allowed to escape into the wild or disposed of carelessly. The threat to our biodiversity - native species and habitats - from these plants is serious.
Know what you are buying and growing
- Avoid plants known to be invasive - there are usually many alternative plants better suited to gardens.
- Plant labelling is getting better but the height and spread given may not be that at maturity. Do some research on plants that are unfamiliar to you. Be wary of labels and descriptions that use terms such as "vigorous", "spreading", "fast growing", "self-seeds", "good ground cover", etc.
- Consider a non-native plants' invasive qualities when you exchange plants with friends. Much of the spread of Himalayan Balsam is down to gardeners donating 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.
How you can help:
- - The majority of our campaigning work is around the issue of litter.
- Information on the control of Non-Native and Harmful Invasive Plants.
- provide a variety of information on invasive species- aquatic plants, risk assessments and site management techniques to mention a few.
Policy and Legislation for Invasive Non-Native Species:
- produced the Non-Native Invasive Species Strategy. Scotland plays an important role in supporting this through the Scottish Working Group.
- Scottish Government –
Non-native species legislation is contained in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended by the which it makes it an offence to:
- release an animal, or allow it to escape, outwith its native range
- plant a plant in the wild outwith its native range
- intentionally or otherwise plant a plant in the wild or cause an animal to be outwith its native range