Scots garden and greenhouse fans should take better care

The Scottish government is set to come down hard on garden and greenhouse enthusiasts who irresponsibly release non-native species into the wild.

It has introduced the new wildlife and natural environment bill that will help it and Scottish Natural Heritage to protect the nations countryside, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said.

The new regulations will clamp down on anyone introducing non-native plant or animal species into the wild and allow Scottish Natural Heritage to remove the problem at the cost of the landowner in question.

Species such as Japanese knotweed and Rhododendron ponticum have become problematic in the Scottish countryside.

"Tougher action is needed to ensure that the exotic garden plants we throw on our compost heaps do not germinate into nuisance species," explained environment minister Roseanna Cunningham.

She said that steps need to be taken to protect the environment and ensure that the issue does not continue to grow.

In other news, the RHS has named a special rose after the England football team, which is set to be unveiled at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.