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Ponds in the UK

Invasive pond plant initiative

16 years ago

I don't know whether you heard on the news this morning, but there is a new initiative by the government on non native pond plants.

They are highlighting how fast they grow, and what damage they can cause if they "escape" into natural waterways and ponds.

Please everyone, read about it here:

http://beplantwise.direct.gov.uk/index.html

They advise you never to dispose of them in the wild, and to compost them if you thin out your own pond so they are not spread.

Also if they are in your pond, never dispose of water pumped out of your pond into the drainage system as some species can grow from a tiny fragment which will grow in the sewage tratment works and can spread from there.

Sermon over...read the article!

They also tell you never to give away non native pond plants.

ps they don't say you "have to" remove existing plants from your own garden pond, just beware they don't "escape".

Here is a link that might be useful: Be Plant Wise - please read this!

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Comment (1)

big_kid
16 years ago
Hi Damp,

Ta for info. I did see this on TV and I have Floating Pennywort in my pond. I was given some years ago and the only other place I've seen it is on the River Wandle in south London, which is the river they showed on TV. It's obviously spread over the years and is now a problem there.

I also have red stemmed Parrots Feather, which I bought from an aquatic centre some years ago. I really like it because it's very pretty and the fish and frogs use it to hide in. The birds also love to sit on it and have a bath. They use the feathery ends as a loofah!

Sermon taken on board! Have digested all the tips about thinning out and composting, as well as getting rid of pond water on the garden, rather than down the grid.
Big Kid
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