Gardeners have been warned to keep an eye out for nine illegal plants that could cost them thousands of pounds in fines this summer. Whether you are a keen gardener or a casual one, it is important to be aware of these plants which could land you fines of more than £30,000. With more than 50,000 infestations of Japanese Knotweed recorded across the UK, garden experts are warning homeowners to keep an eye out for the unwanted visitor.
However, it is not the only plant we should be wary of welcoming into our gardens this year. People have been fined thousands of pounds for allowing illegal plants to grow in their gardens, but many homeowners don’t know how to spot them. Jack Sutcliffe, co-found of Power Sheds , said: “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.” The garden experts have listed the top criminal plants that can grow in gardens, as well as the fines homeowners could face for having them. Japanese Knotweed The Japanese knotweed is one of the most invasive plants.
It has bamboo-like stems and clusters of small white flowers which can cause significant damage to property and infrastructure. It is difficult to eradicate once established, making it even more important to avoid in your garden. If you’ve spotted the Japanese knotweed growing in your garden, it’s important to get profe.