Warning as Japanese knotweed hotspots revealed

JAPANESE knotweed hotpsots across the West Midlands have been revealed following new research.

The growing season for the highly invasive plant is looming, with homeowners warned the plant can grow through concrete and walls.

The roots can grow as deep as three metres and spread up to seven metres horizontally.

Invasive plant specialist Environet UK has revealed the knotweed hotspots for spring 2022 using data from its interactive online tracker. It shows the number of Japanese knotweed infestations within a 4km radius: Kings Heath - 85

Tyseley - 64

Cradley Heath - 56

Aston - 54

Dudley - 46

Other areas – including Halesowen, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Wolverhampton, Bromsgrove, Walsall and Wolverhampton – are also hotspots.

Knotweed hibernates over winter but in March or April it begins to grow, with red or purple spear-like shoots emerging from the ground which quickly grow into lush green shrubs with pink-flecked stems and bamboo-like canes.

The plant species is thought to have first arrived in the UK in 1850 in a box of plant specimens delivered to Kew Gardens.

Favoured for its rapid growth and pretty heart-shaped leaves, it was quicklyadopted by gardeners and horticulturalists who were oblivious to its invasive nature.

A spokesperson for Environet said: “Approximately five per cent of homes are currently affected by knotweed, either directly or indirectly. Knotweed tends to strike fear into the hearts of homeowners but as long as they’re aware of its presence and take action to remove it before it causes any serious damage or spreads to a neighbour’s property, there’s no reason to panic.”