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Deadly threat to native plants Imported disease could wipe out many species, experts warn
Asparagus is becoming increasingly popular
Asparagus is a top crop AS plant-based diets become increasingly popular, asparagus is a key player in Pomona Fruits’ spring catalogue. This season the company is showcasing three new varieties of the vegetable: ■ ‘Guelph Eclipse’: Bred at the University of Guelph in Canada, this is an early-cropping, disease-resistant variety. ■ ‘Vittorio’: Heavyyielding producing thick, disease-resistant spears that can be harvested when they are green or white, when it has a nuttier, delicate flavour. ■ ‘Burgundine’: A purple plant that is tender and sweet when eaten raw, making it an ideal addition to salads. It often produces more spears than green varieties. A spokesman for Pomona said: “British asparagus is traditionally harvested from the April 23 (St George’s Day) until the summer solstice on June 21, and is generally recognised as the best in the world because our climate supports perfect growing conditions. “It’s a great vegetable to grow because plants can remain productive for up to 25 years.”
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OURISTS are being warned against bringing diseased plants into the UK after travelling abroad. There are widespread fears that the devastating fungal disease Xylella, caused by the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa, could enter the country and affect more than 500 species of plant. Susceptible varieties include lavender, rosemary and flowering cherry. Symptoms include leaf scorch, wilt, dieback and the death of the plant. The disease, which has no known cure, is not currently in the UK but has been cutting a swathe through Europe and killing millions of trees. Now travellers are being advised on how to avoid bringing the disease home in a four-minute animation voiced by Dame Helen Mirren. The film explains the risks and tells gardeners what they can do to stop the spread of the disease. Dame Helen says she has seen the devastation done to olive trees in Italy. She said: “Xylella is a dreadful plant disease that has devastated businesses, communities and entire landscapes. “Understanding what you
■ For further details, contact Pomona Fruits on 01255 440410 or visit pomonafruits.co.uk. 6 AMATEUR GARDENING 8 FEBRUARY 2020
Xylella has devastated olive groves throughout Europe
Olive dieback caused by Zylella
Protect our plants, says Helen Mirren
can do to help keep it out of the UK is an important first step in protecting our precious plants.” Gardeners must be vigilant The animated film portrays the disease as an unfriendly alien and illustrates the symptoms and the risks of bringing plants back from abroad. Travellers and gardeners are also being asked to look for symptoms that can’t be blamed on more usual causes such as bad weather conditions and native pests and diseases. The animation is the result of a collaboration by Brigit, a consortium of 12 universities and research institutes led by
the John Innes Centre in Norfolk and including the RHS and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Brigit spokesman Gerard Clover said: “The disease continues to spread within Europe causing more than a billion Euros-worth of damage and gardeners must be vigilant and report changes in the health of their plants.” Advice to help prevent the introduction of Xylella includes sourcing new plants carefully, buying plants grown in the UK, propagating plants at home, checking plants for disease before purchase, monitoring the health of new plants and never bringing plants back from abroad.
The garden centre chain that likes a chat IF you are feeling a little lonesome, head to Squire’s Garden Centres where they have launched a series of Chatter & Natter tables in their cafes. Part of the Chatty Café Scheme, these tables are for anyone to use and the give lonely visitors the chance to chat. Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres said, “In this age of social
media it’s so important to make an effort to talk to others face-to-face. “I believe a short conversation with another human can really brighten your day. Everyone’s welcome, and it’s a great way to meet local people.” Squires have 16 garden centres in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, West London and Berkshire, all with Chatter & Natter tables – just look out
for the signs. For details, call 01252 356860 or visit squiresgardencentres. co.uk.
Make new friends at Squires garden centres
