Susie’s Garden
Our expert warns of a new threat to trees – and how to reduce it
British gardens are famed throughout the world, both for their beauty and for the range of plants that we are able to grow. Imagine a path to the front door edged on either side with purple lavender, flowering cherries laden with blossom in spring, scented rosemary planted by a seat.
We need to protect our garden plants and UK crops from the foreign pests and diseases which are arriving every year.
Now there’s a disease called Xylella (pronounced Zylella) which has wiped out whole groves of ancient olive trees, and which, if it comes here, will kill many of our favourite garden plants such as ornamental cherries, rosemary and lavender – 350 different species in fact. Our trees are at risk. Just imagine our parks without their centuries-old oaks. If Xylella is found here, it will be similar to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease – all host plants within 100 metres will have to be destroyed and there’ll be restrictions on moving plants. It is vital to keep Xylella out for as long as possible. So, what can we do? If you are travelling abroad you will see posters at airports and ports urging you not to bring “plants, flowers, fruit or vegetables back into the UK.”
Don’t be tempted to bring a pot of lavender, seeds or cuttings or plant material of any kind in your suitcase. It could accidentally bring this disease to Britain.
The message is to buy British. If buying online, buy from a reputable UK seller. Nurseries that are members of the Horticultural Trade Association follow guidelines on sourcing plant material to reduce the risk of Xylella arriving in Britain.
If designers, landscapers and sellers buy plants from abroad, they will come with plant passports and be subject to checks. So beware of cheap imports, grow your own from seed or buy from nurseries that produce their own stock.