Garden Escapers! Involving gardeners in preventing future invaders

Variegated yellow archangel escaping through a garden fence

Invasive non-native species

Garden Escapers!

Working with gardeners to prevent 'future invaders'

We need you! Help us identify and prevent 'future invaders'

We're teaming up with gardeners to identify and prevent 'future invaders'. Focusing on six locations (see map), we'll be looking at which ornamental plants are spreading in gardens and those which can be found outside gardens (like those found in neighbouring protected areas).

What are invasive species?

Globally and here in Wales, ornamental garden plants spreading from gardens are one of the main sources of invasive species which affect our native wildlife. The majority of ornamental plants we find in in our gardens are non-native but are not causing problems. However, a small number we label as invasive species because they have escaped from gardens can impact the environment, economy, our health and the way we live. Invasive species have been recognised globally as one of the top five threats to nature and could become an increasing problem because of the climate crisis.

Pilosella aurantiacum © NNSS

Leycesteria formosa © NNSS

Crocosmia Lucifer © NNSS

Examples of known invasive species include Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), three-cornered garlic (Allium triquetrum), Montbretia (Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora) and Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica). Species which are not currently invasive but have potential to be so include examples such as chocolate vine (Akebia quinata), Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa), Japanese anemone (Anemone × hybrida).

Meet the Garden Escapers team

Dr Tomos Jones - Project Manager

Tomos Jones (WaREN Project Manager) — Tomos Jones © University of Reading

Tomos’ particular interest is in identifying ornamental plants that might escape gardens and become invasive in the wild. He is passionate about engaging the public in environmental issues and in science communication. This has included a gold winning educational exhibit in the Discovery Zone at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show in 2019 with the University of Reading. A native of Anglesey, Tomos enjoys hunting for orchids in North Wales and beyond and is a keen gardener.

Email: Tomos.Jones@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk
Mobile: 07726358228

Lisa Toth - Project Officer

Lisa Toth portrait — Lisa Toth © Lisa Toth

Lisa is a horticulturalist and professionally trained Garden Designer and holds qualifications from the RHS, Capel Manor and the acclaimed London College of Garden Design in Kew.

She has a particular interest in planting design. Lisa works with her clients on what to plant, how to manage their gardens better and how to avoid invasive species. She now brings her extensive knowledge of ornamental plants to the Garden Escapers! project at North Wales Wildlife Trust.

Lisa enjoys cycling and hiking, wild swimming, yoga and exploring the Welsh countryside with her dog. She speaks German and Spanish and ‘mae hi’n dysgu Cymraeg ar hyn o bryd’ (she’s learning Welsh at the moment).

Email: Lisa.Toth@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk
Mobile: 07940924416