Who is Winning?
In the battle of the invasive plants we are often told that Japanese Knotweed is being treated at a rate of “10 hectares per season”, whilst also in small print being told that it is unfortunately growing at a rate of “15 hectares” plus per season.
Giant hogweed spreads down the River Irwell in Manchester and nobody notices. Himalayan balsam on the road verges of the M60 is spreading so fast its overtaking the cars…(not that surprising given the traffic is stationary most of the time).
How many of us pass Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed or Japanese Knotweed on our daily commute to work and are so immune that we don’t even register the fantastic growth rate and spread of these plants. Look out of your window next time you are on a train or a tram…scary stuff once you know what you are looking for.
These are NOT native species! They are NOT supposed to be here! They are outgrowing and out competing all our native plants!
If you care about Britain’s countryside do something about it! Ring the Environment Agency, ring DEFRA, ring the Highways Agency, ring your local MP…
I KNOW IT WONT HAPPEN…so the answer unfortunately is…the weeds are winning!
