Could YOU spot Japanese Knotweed taking root in your garden?

Would you know how to spot Japanese Knotweed taking root in your garden? The invasive plant looks very different taking root in the spring than in the autumn.

There are over 50,000 known Japanese Knotweed infestations throughout the UK and plant is notorious for its ability to spread and cause damage to building structures. 

The plant can be difficult to remove without professional help.

The Japanese knotweed changes its look with the seasons, therefore it is essential to note that when you are checking for Japanese knotweed, you should bear in mind the time of year.

It is incredibly durable and fast-growing, and can seriously damage buildings and construction sites if left unchecked.

Identification 

It is important to know how to identify knotweed.

The appearance of Japanese knotweed changes with the seasons, so it is important to note that when you are checking for, you should bear in mind the time of year.

It is most easily identified during the spring months. Red shoots emerge in spring, small cream-coloured flowers blossom at the end of summer, the leaves are shield or shovel-shaped and the stems look like bamboo canes.

During the summer, Knotweed forms dense clumps of foliage with the green leaves, which are accompanied by a number of small yellow flowers

In the autumn, the leaves will start to go yellow and wilt as winter approaches. The plant can grow to about two or three metres if left unattended.

The stems will change to a darker brown before the plant becomes dormant in winter.

It is most easily identified during the spring and summer months. Red shoots emerge in spring (pictured)

During summer, Knotweed forms dense clumps of foliage with the green leaves accompanied by a number of small yellow flowers (pictured)

In the beginning of autumn, the dense thickets of leaves will remain, but they will begin to turn yellow in colour