I had to withdraw my offer on my dream home because of a popular plant we found growing – don’t make the same mistake
A WOMAN was left stunned after spotting an invasive plant taking over her new home.
Lois Connelly almost walked away from buying her first home after noticing a popular garden plant overtake her home.
The NHS worker was in the process of buying a terraced house back in 2023 when her Homebuyer Report raised an issue with bamboo.
Bamboo is an increasingly popular plant to grow as it takes little effort to look after.
But left to its own devices – it can soon overgrow – destroying other plants and even your home.
In the report, Lois was told it had overtaken her front and back garden – but that’s not all.
The plant was a running variety and was already posing a threat to pipes and drains as well as a neighbouring house.
She told the Express: “It was my sister who spotted the bamboo initially when we viewed the property.
“It had been planted directly into the ground in both the back and front gardens.
“Although it had been cut back, we could see it had spread and was growing right up against the house on both sides.
“When the surveyor flagged it up on his report, recommending that it be checked by an expert, I realised I was going to have to do something about it.”
Environet, an invasive plant specialist, undertook the survey and found the problem.
Lois asked for a price reduction to fund the removal of the dangerous plant which was refused at first.
But when Lois withdrew her offer on the house the seller agreed.
The woman was concerned about the damage it could do the property if left untreated, as well as a legal case against her if it did damage her neighbours home.
She added: “To me, this situation really highlights the lack of awareness around invasive bamboo, as even the seller’s estate agent didn’t seem to recognise the problem at first.
“I would advise anyone buying a property with bamboo in the garden to have a professional survey done and if necessary, be prepared to walk away if the seller won’t resolve it.”
The aggressive plant can push through brickwork, drains, patios and can even grow through concrete.
Nic Seal, founder of Environet, said: “In my view, bamboo is at least as destructive as Japanese knotweed, due to the astonishing rate at which the runners grow, enabling it to spread and cause damage more quickly.
“Surveyors are flagging the issue much more frequently than they were a couple of years ago and buyers are rightly insisting that bamboo infestations are properly dealt with.
“In addition to damage to the property and garden, buyers need to consider the risk of a legal case from a neighbour if the bamboo has encroached into their property, which could be expensive to resolve.”
Getting rid of bamboo can cost upwards of £3,500 – so getting a survey done before buying can help you work out if it’s worth purchasing the property.
It’s not the only disaster the plant experts have seen.
In Hampshire, one woman’s house was so badly infested with bamboo that it began growing through the floorboards and walls of her home.
The Most Invasive Plants in the UK
Several non-native species have been introduced to the UK over the years. These are the most problematic plants to look out for in your garden.
Japanese Knotweed
It is an offence against the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act to grow Japanese Knotweed.
It might not be poisonous, it is extremely fast-growing and can seriously damage buildings, paving and structures.
Giant Hogweed
It might look rather attractive, but Giant Hogweed can be pretty dangerous.
The plant’s sap is toxic and can cause burns or blisters if it comes into contact with the skin.
Himalayan Balsam
Himalayan Balsam is another plant you need to keep your eyes on.
It produces an array of pretty pink flowers, but one plant is said to be able to spread 2,500 seeds, that are “launched” over a distance of seven metres.
And like other invasive plants, Himalayan Balsam wipes out other plants, growing up to three metres high, drawing out sunlight for smaller plants.
New Zealand Pigmyweed
New Zealand Pigmyweed is an aquatic plant that can cause havoc in still water, such as lakes and ponds or even slow moving water, such as canals.
It also impacts animals, such as frogs, fish and newts, as it can form a dense mat on the water’s surface, therefore starving the water of oxygen.
Rhododendron
An incredibly beautiful plant, loved my many gardeners, but the Rhododendron is technically classed as an invasive specie due to its rapid growth in woodlands.
Unlike other invasive species mentioned on this list, it’s not recommended to completely remove or kill Rhododendrons but instead take extra care to manage their growth, trimming and pruning them regularly.