Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb – What is 7 Feet Tall and Destroys Other Plant Life?
Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb –
What is 7 Feet Tall and Destroys Other Plant Life?
I’ve talked about invasive species before in these posts and this time it not about the grey squirrel or lesser tree rat as my missus calls it, but giant rhubarb which was brought to the isles from Chile as an ornamental species in the 1840s but has since gone feral. It has leaves up to 4 feet across and as the headline says it can grow up to 7 feet tall ( 2metres plus) and is genuinely regarded as a menace. But the forces of horticulturalism are mobilising against it. This giant rhubarb invader from South America that is colonising the Western Isles and experts have decided enough is enough.
Exterminate, Exterminate, Exterminate!
Its posh name is Gunnera tinctoria plant and is a common sight in fancy gardens across the country. But this hyper active and fast-growing plant is spreading so fast covering grazing land and natural habitats that protection agency Scottish Natural Heritage, wants the public to report where they see the giant rhubarb growing. It’s a menace, not as bad as Japanese Knotweed, but very unwelcome. The plant leaves are very broad and thick, blocking sunlight from smaller native plants and it blocks water courses and erodes banks. Gunnera became established in the wild in the early 1900s. There is now a ban on the purchase of Gunnera throughout Europe to try and limit this pest which has become invasive in parts of Harris within the last two decades and is starting to invade other parts of the Western Isles. In fact in Ireland it has spread from gardens and is becoming a major weed problem, in particular on Achill Island and in Counties Mayo and Galway.
Responsible, Responsible, Responsible
Well we here at James Pirie don’t have invasive species in our gardens, except for the lesser tree rat which is everywhere and always unwanted. But what we do have is stuff that is very wanted, dare I say desired even? Yes great skill and care goes into choosing our goods for you and it is our pleasure to provide which could become instant family heirlooms with presents that go on giving throughout their long and useful life. For example there is the unique thistle shaped Flower of Scotland Spirit Decanter which is on at half price. I have a decanter set I love and I bought it at auction 20 years ago and it dates from the 1760s. It is lead glass so I can’t use it for drink, but there is no such problem with the beautifully handmade and cut Flower of Scotland Thistle Shaped Spirit Decanter. Perhaps some future ancestor of yours will treasure it too.
