The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2021-D/L 31 January 21
The My Place Awards celebrate community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality.
HOW TO ENTER: Community groups responsible for a transformative, regenerative built environment project can enter through the My Place Awards entry form.
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Water of Leith Works Update
Mob: 07875 873 868
Japanese knotweed – Fact and Fiction
Local ecologist Nigel Rudd shares his knowledge of Japanese knotweed, giving us the facts- and clearing up some of the fiction- surrounding this prolific plant.
Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is an elegant herbaceous perennial plant which was imported to Britain by Victorian plant collectors. Popular because of its striking appearance, vigour and size, the species has, in common with many introduced plants, ‘escaped’ into the wild, where it rapidly grows into very dense stands, reaching heights up to 4m.
Stand showing typical yellow leaves and red stems
Dense summer stand with clusters of creamy flowers
Why is Japanese knotweed important?
This species threatens the UK’s biodiversity because most native plants simply cannot compete with its rapid spring growth (up to 10cm a day); its prolific rhizomes (shoot-producing underground stems), and its habit of growing in dense, single-species stands. It grows almost anywhere - on derelict land, riverbanks, abandoned properties, railway lines, and gardens. Its presence can be the result of previous land use, but very often it arises because of illegal fly tipping. It is widespread throughout Edinburgh, and in Colinton the species occurs in the valley of the Water of Leith, in woodlands and in private gardens.
Can it damage buildings? READ MORE to find out
Information on non-native invasive weeds
We have prepared some information on Japanese Knotweed for private owners of property. Click this link to read it.
The City of Edinburgh Council have an invasive weeds team to deal with both Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed on Council owned land. For further information follow the links below.