From Prize winner to Pariah

Japanese Knotweed Fallopia Japonica is a rhizome based non-native invasive species that was introduced into the UK in the early nineteenth century by acclaimed botanist Philipp Franz Balthasar von Siebold.

Due to the attractive nature of the plant and to stabilise banking it was then widely planted for several decades after which its invasive and destructive nature had gained notoriety. It is believed that the current infestation of Japanese Knotweed can be sourced back to a handful of plants imported by Von Siebold. Every noted Japanese Knotweed plant in the UK is female.

Please note that Japanese Knotweed grows through gaps or imperfections in concrete and NOT through solid concrete as some less qualified or unscrupulous contractors and miss-informed articles have claimed it can.

Some people are being refused a mortgage as a result of Japanese Knotweed growing on their property. If you’re experiencing these issues please call us for some free advice Japanese Knotweed can cause damage to property by finding gaps and expanding its growth. It can also out-compete native species and affect bio-diversity due to its lack of predators. It also undermines railway and river embankments by stripping it of nutrients.