Plant lovers need to watch out as some might look nice but could cause big trouble.
With spring coming, everyone’s getting ready to enjoy their gardens. But you’ve got to be careful because some plants can spread like crazy, hurt people and pets, mess up your house, and even kill other plants.
And guess what? They can hit your wallet hard too, says WalesOnline. The garden gurus at Power Sheds have made a list of the worst plants that might pop up in your garden and the big fines you could get for having them.
Jack Sutcliffe from Power Sheds warns: “Once you can identify the most common criminal plants, it’s important to prevent them from spreading as soon as possible. The easiest way to do this is by spraying them with chemicals, digging them out or burning them.”
1. Japanese knotweed
It looks a bit like bamboo and has little white flowers, but Japanese knotweed can really wreck your property and it’s super hard to get rid of once it starts growing. If you don’t deal with it, it could cost you a lot.
2. Spear thistle
Spear thistles have prickly leaves and purple flowers and can take over fast, hurting your crops and plants. If you let it grow outside your garden, you might have to pay up to £2,500.
3. Common ragwort
The common ragwort is easily spotted with its bright yellow flowers and feathery leaves. Even though it’s one of the most common weeds, this poisonous plant is dangerous to animals.
4. Broad-leaved dock
This plant can be identified by its wide leaves and spikes of tiny yellow flowers. If they are found growing outside of your garden, you could be fined £2,500.
5. Curled dock
Another harmful weed, the curled dock, has unique curly leaves and spikes of small yellow flowers. It can spread fast and is a tough weed. Fines of up to £2,500 can be given for letting it grow outside of your land.
6. Rhododendron ponticum
This plant has evergreen leaves and large groups of pink or purple flowers and is toxic to plants and wildlife.
It’s hard to get rid of once it’s grown, making it even more crucial to avoid planting it, otherwise, you could face a £5,000 fine.
7. Himalayan balsam
Perhaps one of the fastest to spread, each plant has around 800 seeds that are easily carried by wind, animals, or water, and will grow again. The plant has spikes of flashy pink or purple flowers, and fines can reach up to £2,500 if it spreads from your garden.
8. Giant hogweed
This poisonous plant is dangerous to people, as its chemicals can cause serious injuries to the skin. While for some, it is just a burning feeling, for others, it can leave permanent scars. They can be identified by their large white flowers and towering height.
9. New Zealand pigmyweed
This plant is a menace and selling its seeds has been illegal since 2014. It’s got small green leaves and bunches of tiny white flowers, and it can even damage water habitats.
If the plant is spotted growing outside of your garden, you could be hit with a fine of up to £2,500.
