National trade body the Property Care Association (PCA) is addressing the spread of invasive plants in Hexham this autumn.

The PCA urges local gardeners to assist in curbing this potentially damaging problem, as part of their autumn maintenance.

The association's experts have compiled a series of tips for containing these non-native weeds.

Daniel Docking, the Invasive Weed Control Group Technical Manager for the PCA, said: "Invasive plants have significant impact to the environment and the economy, but there is much that gardeners can do now to help in this area in autumn.

"Management is key and some simple actions can make a valuable contribution towards this."

Hexham Courant: The association's experts have compiled a series of tips for containing these non-native weeds

The guidance provided focuses on various types of plants such as annual plants, perennial shrubs and plants that spread underground.

It emphasises the importance of practices like dead-heading, pruning, bulb removal, and seed head disposal.

Harmful plants like the Rhododendron ponticum and the Japanese knotweed are especially targeted in this advice.

Notably, the Rhododendron ponticum, despite its beautiful pink blooms, spreads rapidly and causes damage to wild spaces through its extensive root structure.

Regarding the Japanese knotweed, Docking urged that specialist advice should be sought at the earliest possible stage of detection.

The PCA recommends that if Japanese knotweed is suspected, an expert survey of the site should be conducted.

A qualified PCA member should be sought to eradicate it, thereby avoiding ineffective control and continual regrowth of this invasive plant.

In addition, the PCA has published a book 'Practical Management of Invasive Non-Native Weeds In Britain and Ireland’, which provides deeper insight into the management of 38 different plant species.

These plants are primarily listed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act or are of concern to the European Union.

For more information and further advice, the PCA’s Invasive Weed Control Group is readily available to provide assistance and guide homeowners to find reliable and trustworthy invasive weed contractors.