Giant Hogweed was introduced to the UK back in the 19th century by the Victorian botanists for its ornamental qualities, valued for its size and stunning appearance when flowering. The massive flower heads resulted in huge nectar producing qualities much appreciated by Bee-keepers of the time. The plant was originally brought across from the Caucasus region of south-west Asia (Georgia, southern Russia and other countries).
The colder climate experienced in the Caucasus region caused the plant to evolve to produce huge quantities of seeds giving it a better chance of at least some of the seeds surviving the harsh weather and germinating. The warmer climates the UK experiences compared to the Caucasus region and the higher nutrient content of our soils means a larger proportion of the seeds can germinate more readily contributing towards the colonisation across the UK.
FREE EBOOK2021
Giant Hogweed removal
Accurately identifying an invasive weed without any prior knowledge can be tricky for the lesser green fingered amongst us, especially when there is a health risk involved. This free eBook will help educate, identify, treat and address the dangers of Giant Hogweed.
