THEY are the ASBO plants of the pond – the aquatic thugs that escape from captivity and into the wild, choking rivers, lakes and canals and starving native plants and fish of vital oxygen.

These are the alien plants that grow so fast that a dense mat of greenery is produced – bringing angling and boating to a halt and endangering the lives of children and pets attempting to walk across
the solid-looking surface.

They have even been known to block drainage systems and cause localised flooding. But now the reign of the riverbank nasties is coming to an end. Last week, Defra and the government launched the Be Plant Wise campaign, which is targeting garden centres to end the reckless sale and disposal of invasive aquatic plants.

It is believed gardeners could be responsible for spreading many of these plants, by ‘releasing’ them in the wild when their garden ponds become too choked. The campaign is being fronted by TV gardener and water garden specialist, Charlie Dimmock, who has produced a video highlighting the threat posed by these plants, which will be screened at participating garden centres. Posters, leaflets and stickers have also been produced to underline the problems caused to native flora and fauna.

“These plants are no problem in the garden pond, but once in the wild they cause havoc,” said Charlie. “Throw them on the compost heap or even on the lawn, where they will soon frazzle and die.”

The Be Plant Wise campaign will urge gardeners, when spring cleaning ponds, to remove any unwanted aquatic plants and place them straight on the compost heap or in the green waste recycling bin. While you’re overhauling the pond, restock it with native aquatic plants, such as hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum), fringed waterlily (Nymphoides peltata), water mint (Mentha aquatica), marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) and lady’s smock (Cardamine pratensis).