Invasive plants: 10 non-native plants to watch out for in your garden

Invasive plants are those that do not grow naturally in Britain but which, if they spread from our gardens into the wild, outcompete native species.

They can crowd out slower-growing native plants, or change the natural habitat of native species by drying out the soil, casting shade, or blocking the flow of streams so that the habitat is no longer suitable for native plants.

Some invasive plants arrive in the UK by accident, some are planted as crops or to augment the landscape, and some are grown in our gardens and either spread by roots or seed or are dug up and dumped in the countryside. 

The experts at the Royal Horticultural Society tell us: 'Our gardens have been greatly enriched by the introduction of plants from abroad but a small number have proved highly invasive in the UK, threatening natural habitats and native species. By not allowing plants to escape from gardens and disposing of unwanted plants and weeds carefully, gardeners can help reduce the spread of invasive non-native species.'

Legislation has been introduced to control the planting and spread of 36 different plants which are especially threatening. It is illegal to plant them in the wild or allow them to spread into the wild. 

If you find them in your garden you are required to control them. As with how to get rid of weeds, hand pulling or digging is a widespread approach, although with some varieties more aggressive measures may be required.  

Our list of the most commonly found invasive plants will give you a good idea to what to look out for, what to avoid planting in your plot, and how to get rid of the offending variety once you have found it.  

 By Graham Rice