The challenge

Sadly, 90% of our semi natural grasslands have declined since the 20th century. Remaining areas are now often small in size and highly fragmented, having devastating effects on our local wildlife. The invasion of non-native cotoneaster has contributed to the decrease in suitable grassland habitats and is now recognised as one of the top ten species to negatively impact protected sites in Wales. Cotoneaster is a Schedule 9 species and is illegal to plant or cause to grow in the wild. Typically, this invasive is unintentionally spread by birds eating cotoneaster berries from our gardens and consequently spread across our cherished landscapes.

How can you help?

Sign up to the Plant Swap Scheme and receive a FREE £10 National Garden Gift Voucher in exchange for removing your garden cotoneaster. Help reduce the spread of cotoneaster into the wild, by replacing your garden cotoneaster with a wildlife friendly alternative.

Most of our gardens contain plants that are not native to the UK - they originally came from another part of the world. While non-native plants can help us create beautiful ornamental displays to enjoy, if they escape into the wild some can become invasive.

Concerns for wildlife

Although cotoneaster can be seen as a beneficial plant for bees, its nectar source is short-term as the flowers open for only a couple of weeks in the year. By reducing the cotoneaster seed source its enables swards of nectar rich flowers to bloom including small scabious, kidney vetch, carline thistle, rock rose and salad burnet. Delicate bee and pyramidal orchids can thrive accompanied by thyme, stemless thistle and knapweed. This helps support an abundance of species including marbled white, brown argus and the silver studded blue butterfly.

We believe that limestone grasslands disappearing from our landscapes would be a huge loss, and getting people involved in conserving them locally can have real benefits – for individuals, communities as well as our wildlife!

Sign up to the Plant Swap Scheme