Gunnera Manicata
The_herpetologist
Posts: 481
in Plants
My big project this year was a bog garden and planting included a gunnera. They are quite small at present but looking forward to seeing them grow to full height.
I was reading an article about invasive species and noticed gunneras listed alongside pampas - another plant l bought this year. I had no idea these were considered invasive. I haven't noticed gunnera and pampas anywhere else but in gardens - they certainly don't seem to be invasive in the same way as say Himalayan balsam, giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed and the like.
If they are invasive are there any precautions I can take to minimise environmental impact? The article didn't provide much detail and my google searches didn't reveal much.
Please advise.
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Neither plant has the invasive qualities of the plants you mentioned. Of the two Pampas grass would be one to keep an eye on. Its a grass and as such will try to spread. Gunnera tends to form clumps. Many garden plants could be classified as invasive because of the way they grow. Amelanchier is never included in the 'invasive' category but it does sucker and has done in my garden for example. Judicious cutting snd trimming will keep them under control.
Don't let them seed and they can't go anywhere.
I live on the dry side of the country but I've seen obviously self seeded gunnera growing along the side of a lane in Norfolk
In the sticks near Peterborough
The E.U. Commission is drawing up a list of plants - Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern - that will be banned throughout the Union. Lysichiton americanus is already on the list, and about 20 others are shortly to join it. Gunnera manicata is likely to be one of them... along with Acer negundo...
What a load of old tosh.
Just show me one single example where Gunnera has proved "invasive" anywhere in the UK. Self seeding on occasion yes, but "invasive"?? hardly.
As we've voted to leave the EU, any list of banned plants will be irrelevant to us.
That was my thought too Hosta.
One good thing about the leave vote then
I'd be happy for them to have Pampas Grass on a list though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I can't see either of those plants taking over the world. If they were going to do that they would have done it by now. Pampas grass especially was everywhere years ago but fortunately much less now.
If invasive plants are banned, (EU or otherwise), does it affect anything other than imports?
It seems pointless when the plants are here.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Link to the Invasive Alien Species mentioned by Marlorena
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/index_en.htm
Please note that the notion of "invasiveness" is currently largely debated. An interesting topic.
I'm sure something considered "invasive" in warm southern Greece, might not be "invasive" in rather chillier Lithuania.For example.
Whooah! Don't diss my Pampas. It's doing well by the side of my pond and looks great!
What's not to love? Yah boo to gardening fashionistas
Last edited: 09 September 2016 17:00:27