How to avoid species susceptible to ‘foot and mouth’ of plant world

XYLELLA fastidiosa has been branded “the foot and mouth” of the plant world, wiping out olive groves in Italy. It has also been found in France, Spain and Germany.

The RHS has banned Xylellarisk plants from its shows this year, including lavender, rosemary, hebe, olive, polygala, oleander and euphorbia – unless Uk-grown – while retailers have removed from sale some risky species or are stocking only Uk-grown ones.

The bacteria is known to affect more than 350 species and reduces plants’ ability to take up water. Infected plants may show no symptoms until it’s too late.

The answer is to buy British where you can – the RHS website (rhs.org.uk) lists UK nurseries – and avoid susceptible plants.

Instead of lavender and rosemary, use Afghan sage and rock roses:

Most lavender and rosemary are propagated and grown in Britain, but for early sales, many are imported from southern Europe.

Reduce the risk by Afghan sage (Perovskia “Blue Spire”), Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa) and rock roses (Cistus, such as Cistus x purpureus).

Instead of hebe, use Caryopteris clandonensis and Abelia x grandiflora

Hebe are popular evergreen shrubs, with many smaller cultivars ideally suited to smaller gardens. Alternatives include Caryopteris clandonensis “Heavenly Baby”, Clethra alnifolia “Hummingbird” and Abelia x grandiflora.

Instead of olives, use Elaeagnus x ebbingei and Phillyrea angustifolia

Olives have been the hardest hit by Xylella in Italy. They grow so slowly in Britain but quicker growing and hardier alternatives include Elaeagnus x ebbingei, Phillyrea angustifolia, Rhamnus alaternus and (deciduous) Elaeagnus ‘Quicksilver’.

Instead of polygala, use glory bush and glory pea

Polygala is a lovely conservatory plant, but again, it’s one on the banned list. Instead, try glory pea (Clianthus puniceus) with red flowers, glory bush (Tibouchina urvilleana) carrying violet purple flowers, and crimson threadflower (Caesalpinia gilliesii), whose yellow flowers have crimson thread.

Instead of oleander, use Abutilon and marguerite (Argyranthemum)

Oleander, a potentially poisonous plant, is mainly a greenhouse or conservatory specimen. Alternatives include Abutilon “Kentish Belle” and marguerite (Argyranthemum).

Instead of cherry and plum trees (Prunus ssp), use pyracantha

Prunus or cherry family trees and shrubs are a mainstay of British gardens but reliable alternatives might be considered in making new plantings. Try Drimys winteri, Osmanthus x burkwoodii and the ultra-reliable pyracantha.