They were originally grown as ornamental plants but are now outcompeting native species.
If you are visiting Belvedere House, Gardens and Park over the next couple of weeks you may notice works underway in the woodland area, where some of the Cherry Laurel and Rhododendron is being removed.
Cherry Laurel and Rhododendron are Invasive Alien Plant Species and while they would originally have been grown as ornamental plants, they have taken over to such an extent that they are now outcompeting other species.
These two plant species are being tackled under a Management Plan for Invasive Alien Plants Species at Belvedere Gardens and Park.
Other Invasive Alien Plants Species being managed at Belvedere this Autumn are Japanese Knotweed and Bohemian Knotweed.
Herbicide is being applied to these species by means of stem injection, where the plants are growing near a water course, or by targeted spraying at other locations.
This is the third year of implementing the multi-annual Plan to manage Invasive Alien Plants Species at Belvedere Gardens and Park.
The long-term impact of this will be to reduce the hold of Invasive Alien Plant Species at Belvedere, thus helping to restore biodiversity.
"These important annual works manage and remove invasive species that if left untreated would undermine the fabric and biodiversity of Belvedere House, Gardens and Park", says Manager Stephen Masterson.
All work is being undertaken by appropriately trained personnel, in line with best practice and according to the Management Plan.
The works are being funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through their Local
Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) Grant Scheme, with support from Westmeath County Council.
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