Several escaped garden plants are a nuisance in the Peak Park, including Japanese knotweed, rhododendron and Himalayan balsam.
Locally there is Japanese Knotweed in Parwich churchyard which fortunately was spotted in time. Once established, Japanese knotweed is virtually indestructible. (Neither weed killer nor digging it up help. About all you can do is plant trees to hide it.) Next to the shed in the churchyard, the Parwich plant has been cut off every time it shows above ground for several years. Now, although it continues reappearing, it is looking much less vigorous.

A Japanese knotweed plant keeps sending up shots just before the wall, here in Parwich churchyard. If you see any shots please snap them off.
Do you know of any other sites these plants grow in Parwich, Alsop, Ballidon or Pikehall?
The Peak Park Authority have sent a request for volunteers to help with their campaign to control Himalaya balsam that is taking over some river banks in the Park. Although it is an attractive pink flower with exploding seed pods that children love, it completely smothers the native plants.
For more on their plans to combat Himalayan balsam read the Peak Park’s full press release – (more…)
Read Full Post »