Look out for plant pests, gardeners urged

GARDENERS are being called on to help target invasive pests that have the potential to cause millions of pounds of damage to Scotland's environment.

The Be Plant Wise campaign, launched yesterday, calls for gardeners to look out for invasive plants in their ponds and dispose of them carefully to stop them spreading into the wild.

It is calling for efforts to tackle three invasive alien species – New Zealand pigmyweed, fairy fern and parrot's feather.

The campaign was launched by the Scottish Government and environmental charity Plantlife.

Environment minister Roseanna Cunningham said : "Invasive aquatic plants have the potential to cause huge problems to Scotland's environment as well as threatening our enjoyment of it."

She said the plants can "choke waterways, disrupt angling and exacerbate flooding".