A national trade
body has brought together a range of non-native invasive weeds under one
roof to help property professionals improve their identification skills.
Japanese knotweed,
American skunk cabbage and Three-cornered garlic are just some of the plants
being cultivated in the Property Care Association’s specially-commissioned
‘non-native’ greenhouse.
The new facility is
home to 20 plant species and varieties, being put on show as part of the PCA’s
training and development programme.
Dr Peter Fitzsimons,
Invasive Weed Control Group Technical Manager of the PCA, said: “The greenhouse
will play a useful role in helping those on our training programmes to
accurately identify invasive, non-native weeds in a controlled environment.
“By curating these
plants in one location we can accelerate learning regarding weed species.”
To create the
greenhouse, PCA has introduced a number of controls to contain the spread of
the plants.
Dr Fitzsimons added:
“We’ve built the greenhouse over an impervious root barrier membrane to contain
the highly penetrating roots of some of the specimens, particularly the bamboos
and Japanese knotweed.
“We also need to
carefully collect any plant waste and ensure this is disposed using a licenced
waste carrier.”
The greenhouse will be
operational for the PCA’s inaugural ‘Invasive Plant Identification
Course.’
Offering a
comprehensive overview of the key issues surrounding certain plants
listed on Schedule 9 of Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act,
the first course takes place on Thursday, August 1, at the PCA’s training
centre, in Huntingdon.
More information and
booking details can be found at www.property-care.org/training-qualifications/training-courses/invasive-plant-identification/
Participants also
receive a free copy of both ‘Practical Management of Invasive Non-Native Weed
in Britain and Ireland’ and the ‘Field Guide to Invasive Plants and
Animals In Britain.’
