Invasive Species Week: how can landscaping do its bit?
Non-native plants can make a positive contribution in gardens, both aesthetically and environmentally, but they can also cause problems if they escape, including:
- crowding out native plants which other species rely on for food and shelter
- changing soil conditions and nutrients, and spreading plant diseases
- damaging buildings and infrastructure, and interfering with agriculture and utilities
- clogging waterways, which interferes with recreation and increases the flood risk
- harming our health
Aquatic plants can be particularly devastating, due to the speed at which they can spread in a natural water body and the impact they can have on important aquatic habitats.
The good news is that landscapers, including gardeners, retailers, and other professionals, can take simple, practical steps to help reduce the risk from invasive species:
Further information on invasive species is available from the Great Britain Non-native Species Secretariat (NNSS), such as a list of restricted non-native plants, some examples of invasive non-native plants, and a list of alternative plants to use.