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ATTENTION - Ban on Gunnera plants

Sandra ASandra A Posts: 146
in Plants
UK bans popular garden plant Gunnera after study finds it an invasive species

With its dramatic leaves and sprawling structure, the giant rhubarb has long been a popular garden plant, gracing the grounds of stately homes and multiple National Trust properties.

But the UK government is now to enact a ban on the popular plant, also known as Gunnera, meaning it cannot be sold or cultivated, and those who have it in their gardens must ensure it does not spread. It will be under a similar ban to that on Japanese knotweed.
(read more in)

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/uk-bans-popular-garden-plant-gunnera-after-study-finds-it-an-invasive-species/ar-AA1lbVM2?ocid=socialshare&pc=ASTS&cvid=aaea65554ef049bfabcd97ffe7e85004&ei=22
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  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    That's interesting @Sandra A, thank you for posting the link.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Sandra A Gunnera is an amazing plant in the right place. I cannot imagine Paxton's rock garden at Chatsworth without it. I guess he knew all about it spreading it's roots have always looked to be confined. Is there a small form of it? Perhaps I made that up?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Gunnera magellanica is a dwarf species, but looks nothing like conventional Gunnera. I doubt Paxton knew or cared about it’s invasiveness
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I know gunnera has become a huge problem in parts of western Ireland.  This looks like an interesting alternative to herbicide, providing gunnera seeds don't remain viable in goat poo...
    https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2022/09/22/old-irish-goats-get-to-work-tackling-scourge-of-giant-rhubarb-in-achill/

    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    Hopefully some of our friends out west can chime in because I've never known this plant to spread, even when it seems happy. 
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    edited December 2023
    That's a shame can't say I've seen a invasive nature to it in the North West. I bought a baby one recently as well , it were intended to planted just outside my garden ( garage site next to property ) but I may rethink ,  it be treated as a prized plant now seen as they'll be difficult to get hold of in future . 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited December 2023
     Paxton's knowledge was extensive, he was also a workaholic and died young as a result.
    Whether or not he knew Gunnera to be invasive we will never know for sure. It is planted where the roots are confined by rock at Chatsworth. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Well we have had gunnera in our garden for decades and it most definitely hasn't spread. The first frosts hit the leaves and then it starts to grow again and gets hit by the next frost. It is in the same place and shows no signs of getting any bigger.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I believe the problem arises when the gunnera is planted next to running water which can wash its seeds to new places for it to grow and not always in a cultivated garden where it can be controlled.   Removing the flower head before its seeds mature should stop any new escapes.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    What a surprise, and a great shame. Luckily, I’ve never got round to planting any in the garden, but there are several in the neighbourhood that I’ve been admiring and coveting. Looks like too late now. Worryingly, one that I regularly pass is growing next to a stream. Next to a lot of Himalayan Balsam! 
    Is there a similar looking, but much smaller plant, name beginning with H or M, that would be a safe alternative?
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