The Day of the Triffids? – Maintaining your property against plant invasion

When John Wyndham wrote his classic sci-fi novel, The Day of the Triffids, I sometimes think he must have visited our Welsh garden in July for inspiration.  When summer finally arrives, it seems as if everything in the garden grows literally overnight, including the weeds.  Our wonderful Welsh summers are warm, wet and relatively short, so when plants get their chance, they take full advantage.

It can be difficult to keep on top of plant growth, but in and around the structure of our homes, plants can be destructive and cause longer term problems if not addressed quickly.  Here are our top 5 tips for maintaining your property against a summer plant invasion:

1. Clear gutters, gulleys and drains.

Tree saplings and other plants love to grow in the debris left in gutters and can cause major blockages and dampness.  The rain doesn’t stop at any time of year and heavy summer downpours can cause damage if rainwater is not directed quickly away from a property.

2. Maintain your flat roof.

Moss and other plants can spread rapidly on badly maintained flat roofs.  As well as holding water and preventing it from draining away correctly, plant roots can cause physical damage to the roof covering, causing it to break down and leak.

3. Control weeds growing in the cracks of paths, around vents and at the base of walls.

As well as looking untidy, plant roots can cause cement and concrete to disintegrate.  Keep vents clear to allow your property to breathe properly and avoid condensation or rot.

4. Cut back, trim and prune any plants growing up or onto your property.

Ivy is the classic example of a plant that attaches itself using suckers and causes damage to walls, roofs and foundations, and it should be removed carefully.  Other climbing plants such as clematis, Virginia creeper or hydrangea do not cause damage in the same way, and as attractive plants can be useful for hiding ugly walls and providing interest.  However, they need regular pruning and should never be allowed to grow up to roof level.  Plants can block windows, damage gutters and in extreme cases lift roof timbers.

5. Think twice about trimming garden hedges and over-tidying.

This might sound contradictory, but suburban gardens play a vital role in providing important wildlife habitat, especially for birds.  Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is a criminal offence to intentionally damage or destroy an active nest, and did you know that British farmers are not allowed to cut hedges between 1 March and 1 September?  So, how about adopting the same rules within our own gardens?   If a hedge isn’t causing an obstruction to the pavement or highway, or is unlikely to cause any structural damage, leave the hedge-trimmers in the shed until September and enjoy a little bit of plant exuberance!