The UK's most invasive plant has begun its 2024 growing season, rearing its red asparagus-like shoots in Stockport.

Japanese Knotweed has been found particularly early this year in Stockport, along the banks of the River Goyt.

Environet, invasive plant specialists, have identified 122 verified infestations of knotweed in Stockport.

The plant is considered to be one of the worst invasive exotic plants, due to its capacity to damage foundations, buildings, and roads. 

Japenese Knotweed in Summer (Image - W. Carter / public domain)

You can use Environet's 'Exposed' heatmap to find out if there are plants near your postcode. 

Japanese knotweed hibernates during the winter months before emerging when the ground temperature reaches around 4°c, usually between late February and early April. 

It is tolerant of a wide range of weather conditions, which is partly why it has become so prevalent. 

Red or purple asparagus-like shoots sprout from the earth and quickly turn into green bamboo-like stems, growing rapidly to reach approximately three metres in height by June.

What Japanese Knotweed looks like in early spring (Image - Environet)

Nic Seal, founder of Environet, said, "Knotweed has appeared quite early this year, due to recent mild temperatures. [...]

"There are already over 50,000 known infestations of knotweed and the number is growing every year. Now it's been spotted and verified in Stockport, within a week or two it will be emerging all over the country as the spring growing season gets underway. 

"Those who discover the plant on their land should seek professional advice and put a treatment plan in place as quickly as possible, to preserve the value of their property and protect themselves from the risk of litigation if it's allowed to spread." 

How to spot Japanese knotweed in early spring, according to Environet 

• Soft, dark red shoots emerge from the ground, which look similar to asparagus
• Leaves are rolled up to begin with, and dark red/purple in colour
• The stems resemble bamboo canes, but with distinctive purple speckles
• As the fleshy shoots gain height, usually around early April, they develop bright shield or heart-shaped green leaves which unfurl in a zig-zag pattern along the stem.

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