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'Pest plant' attacked by aphids | 'Pest plant' attacked by aphids |
(10 minutes later) | |
The fast-growing leylandii hedge - often a bone of contention between neighbours - is under attack from a plague of aphids. | The fast-growing leylandii hedge - often a bone of contention between neighbours - is under attack from a plague of aphids. |
A two-year study carried out by the Royal Horticultural Society analysed 316 samples of the plant and found that 53% had been damaged by the insects. | A two-year study carried out by the Royal Horticultural Society analysed 316 samples of the plant and found that 53% had been damaged by the insects. |
Cypress aphids are thought to feed on leylandii sap, turning the leaves brown and killing the plant. | Cypress aphids are thought to feed on leylandii sap, turning the leaves brown and killing the plant. |
Invasive leylandii have caused rows and even legal action between neighbours. | Invasive leylandii have caused rows and even legal action between neighbours. |
They grow very quickly, take a lot of moisture out of the soil and can reach a great height, blocking out sunlight. | They grow very quickly, take a lot of moisture out of the soil and can reach a great height, blocking out sunlight. |
A survey suggested they were the plant most likely to put a buyer off a property, and could wipe thousands of its value. | A survey suggested they were the plant most likely to put a buyer off a property, and could wipe thousands of its value. |
'Injecting a toxin' | 'Injecting a toxin' |
Cypress aphids have been growing in numbers in Britain's gardens for a number of years, but not much is known about them or their effects. | Cypress aphids have been growing in numbers in Britain's gardens for a number of years, but not much is known about them or their effects. |
So a joint investigation was carried out by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and East Malling Laboratories in Kent, using plant samples sent in by RHS members. | So a joint investigation was carried out by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and East Malling Laboratories in Kent, using plant samples sent in by RHS members. |
Dr Jean Fitzgerald, from East Malling, told the BBC News website the aphids appeared to be attacking leylandii all over the UK. People put them in because they want a quick instant result and then they don't realise they are a nightmare to look after Bunny Guinness, gardener | Dr Jean Fitzgerald, from East Malling, told the BBC News website the aphids appeared to be attacking leylandii all over the UK. People put them in because they want a quick instant result and then they don't realise they are a nightmare to look after Bunny Guinness, gardener |
"It's not clear whether they are injecting a toxin into the plant or whether they are damaging its water transport system, which then kills it. | "It's not clear whether they are injecting a toxin into the plant or whether they are damaging its water transport system, which then kills it. |
"The aphid is a real pest in Mediterranean countries and parts of Africa, where it can wipe out entire populations, but here not much is known about it. | "The aphid is a real pest in Mediterranean countries and parts of Africa, where it can wipe out entire populations, but here not much is known about it. |
"We're still not sure whether it's a problem that's always been there, but not been noticed before, or whether it really is getting worse, perhaps due to warmer springs." | "We're still not sure whether it's a problem that's always been there, but not been noticed before, or whether it really is getting worse, perhaps due to warmer springs." |
Some leylandii growers are now so worried they are trying to come up with an aphid resistant strain. | Some leylandii growers are now so worried they are trying to come up with an aphid resistant strain. |
But Bunny Guinness, professional gardener and panellist on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time, said she would not miss the plant if it disappeared. | But Bunny Guinness, professional gardener and panellist on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time, said she would not miss the plant if it disappeared. |
"I have to say this aphid is doing me one big favour, because people put them in because they want a quick instant result and then they don't realise they are a nightmare to look after," she said. | "I have to say this aphid is doing me one big favour, because people put them in because they want a quick instant result and then they don't realise they are a nightmare to look after," she said. |
"They get too big, they're too difficult to maintain and they're also not indigenous so you don't get much wildlife associated with them. | "They get too big, they're too difficult to maintain and they're also not indigenous so you don't get much wildlife associated with them. |
"They really take out all the light, take out the moisture from your garden, so it's difficult to grow things and they are antagonistic to neighbours." | "They really take out all the light, take out the moisture from your garden, so it's difficult to grow things and they are antagonistic to neighbours." |
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