Knotweed [Falopia Japonica]

The curse of British cities and countryside

Japanese knotweed at Lordshill Sports Ground dwarfing a 6 footer August 2008

Knotweed is everywhere, gardens, cemeteries, parks, playing fields, car parks, roads and even motorways.

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Our city has a large student population as we have two universities consequently a lot of property is let up by landlords. In many of these properties knotweed has been allowed to develop and garden maintenance is not high on the landlord's list of priorities and even less so the temporary residents.

There is no natural predator such as  beetles or insects to control its growth. In the summer it growths more than 4 inches per day.

By law it has to be destroyed on site and is not allowed to be transported to a public rubbish tip. Landowners must prevent it spreading to neighbour's property or onto any public footpath or highway.

The plant soon growths to a height 10-12 feet, the roots penetrate 7-8 feet. It readily and easily grows through carpark surfaces, layers of concrete such as motorways, through brick and stones such as graves or chapels in cemeteries. Your domestic garden is no challenge! Development sites with knotweed are normally as part of planning approval given a 6 month period to eradicate before foundations are dug.