Gardeners warned about pretty plant that’s ‘just as invasive’ as Japanese Knotweed and it can grow ‘basically anywhere’

GARDENERS across the UK have been warned about a common plants that's can be a nightmare to deal with. Buddleia is known for it's stunning purple blooms and strong scent - and it's a common plant in gardens. It's also nicknamed Butterfly Bush because it is so popular with butterflies.

But despite it's appealing look the plant is incredibly invasive and can even cause damage to buildings if not dealt with properly. Jennifer Holms from Environment Controls said the plant can be as "difficult to control or get rid of" as Japanese Knotweed - another incredibly invasive species. How does Buddleia spread? Buddleia spreads by airborne seeds which can land and germinate in building cracks and crevices.

READ MORE ON GARDENING The plant can even reach a staggering 15ft in height. Although it might not be quite as notorious Japanese Knotweed gardeners should still be cautious of the plant. And while it's not outlawed by Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act it can still spread quickly causing significant damage to the foundations of your home, if you're unlucky.

What damage can Buddleia cause? Jennifer said: "Both Buddleia and knotweed can cause significant damage to building structures. Most read in Fabulous "However Buddleia is less likely to damage underground infrastructure due to its shallow root system. "Both are highly invasive and difficult to eradicate, but Buddleia (unlike knotweed) can grow in hard to access areas such as roofs, guttering, window sills and walls basi.