{"id":1900,"date":"2011-06-27T20:27:13","date_gmt":"2011-06-27T19:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.naturearoundme.com\/contents1a\/?p=1900"},"modified":"2011-06-27T20:27:13","modified_gmt":"2011-06-27T19:27:13","slug":"rspb-fights-back-against-invasive-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naturearoundme.com\/contents1a\/2011\/06\/rspb-fights-back-against-invasive-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"RSPB fights back against invasive plants"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0RSPB<\/a> is launching a battle against invasive non-native plants.<\/p>\n

As summer gets underway, the wildlife charity wants to make people aware of the risk of accidentally introducing potentially damaging plant life into their own gardens as well as into the wild.<\/p>\n

\"Himalayan<\/a>
Himalayan Balsam is a non-native plant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The total cost of invasive non-native species to the British economy is estimated at \u00a31.7 billion annually, and the cost of controlling Himalayan balsam<\/a> alone is estimated at \u00a31 million per year.<\/p>\n

Karen Swaffield, from the RSPB said \u201cLeft unchecked, this plant could spell disaster for the reserve\u2019s native plants and flowers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pretty pink flowers have a really strong smell and lots of sweet nectar, meaning it attracts bumblebees, butterflies and other insects. This sounds great, but it means the insects spend less time pollinating our native wildflowers.<\/p>\n

\u201cHimalayan balsam is really easy to pull up because it has such shallow roots. But there\u2019s just so much of it. It\u2019s important to get it now, before the exploding seed heads form and start popping thousands more seeds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Himalayan Balsam warning<\/strong><\/p>\n

Himalayan balsam is just one of many non native plants that the RSPB is warning can be invasive in character, choking waterways and out competing native plants. \u00a0Most invasive non-native plants that are causing problems in the wild originate from gardens and ponds.<\/p>\n

[pullquote]Non-native plants, which jump the garden fence, cost the taxpayer and conservation organisations hundreds of thousands of pounds each year in trying to control and eradicate them
\nJohn Day, RSPB urban advisor<\/strong>[\/pullquote]<\/p>\n

The wildlife charity wants to make people aware that invasive non-native plants can end up in the countryside as seeds and plant fragments are carried by birds and other wildlife that visit garden borders and ponds, and by a minority of people who illegally dump unwanted plants into the countryside. Some seeds are also carried \u2018over the garden wall\u2019 by the wind.<\/p>\n

Some people try to boost the wildlife of their pond more quickly by bringing a bucket of water from an established pond. This carries the risk of introducing disease or undesirable animal or plant life because many ponds contain non-native, potentially invasive plants or animals.<\/p>\n

Similarly, it is important to never allow material from garden ponds to reach the countryside, either accidentally or deliberately. Once established, it is very difficult to eradicate these plants, and they can pose serious threats to native ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Invasive plants don\u2019t make good garden plants. The RSPB says that if you are planning on buying plants for your pond in particular, check what you buy is native.<\/p>\n

John Day, RSPB urban advisor says: \u201cNon-native plants, which jump the garden fence, cost the taxpayer and conservation organisations hundreds of thousands of pounds each year in trying to control and eradicate them.<\/p>\n

[pullquote]Gardeners, Pond and aquarium keepers can play a vital role in protecting our countryside from the damaging impacts of invasive non-native plants.
\nSophie Thomas from Plantlife<\/strong>[\/pullquote]<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople can do their bit by being careful about what they plant in the garden. If anyone is planning to buy plants for their pond, they need to check what they buy is native.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDisposing of plant waste properly is important too, compost it or burning it are the best options.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sophie Thomas of plant conservation charity Plantlife<\/a> says: \u201cGardeners, Pond and aquarium keepers can play a vital role in protecting our countryside from the damaging impacts of invasive non-native plants by choosing not to buy or grow them.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut buyers should be aware, some invasive plants are labelled with \u2018buy British\u2019 slogans or common names usually associated with native plants.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do not plant – it is illegal<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most damaging of the invasive plants should never be introduced and include: ‘<\/p>\n