Invasive plants and the law

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 lists plants that must not be planted or caused to grow in the wild. You must not import, transport, keep, breed, sell, use or exchange these plants. But, confusingly, you do not have to remove these plants or control them on your own land. It is allowing a listed plant such as Japanese knotweed to invade anyone else’s property that can lead to a community protection notice or prosecution.

The Act originally listed only Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) and giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Other well known baddies include Himalayan balsam and Rhododendron ponticum.

The list was increased to 36 plants in April 2010, and in 2014 the top five most invasive water plants were banned from sale.

Currently, no specific legislation covers the sale, planting or spread of bamboo, or any of the plants above, into adjoining properties or the wider environment. For guidance, visit gov.uk and search “invasive plants rules”.

Keep the height of hedges in check