Tchibo in the crossfire: Are wild roses on the list of nature conservation hedges?

Tchibo in the crossfire: Are wild roses on the list of nature conservation hedges?

In recent days, a bouquet of topics has been the subject of conversation in the gardens and balconies of this city. Tchibo has not only rearranged its coffee cups, but is now also offering a nature conservation hedge set for 44.99 euros. But the supposedly green thumb could be put to the test, because this set contains a plant that raises questions: The apple rose offered here is the non-native Rosa rugosa, while the native variant, Rosa villosa, is missing. This has already caused some criticism, as it has not been sufficiently examined which plants really belong in a nature conservation hedge, as the Wochenblatt reports.

The Rosa rugosa is not only beautiful to look at, but also has a number of characteristics that classify it as invasive. It is reportedly a multi-stemmed shrub that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and often has strong branching. Their spines are another feature that distinguishes the plant from other shrubs. These can not only be beautiful, but also problematic, because the supposedly charming Rosa rugosa could quickly lead to an invasion of home gardens. Especially in coastal regions it has the reputation of forming monotypic stands Invasive Plant Atlas.

Invasive plants and their challenges

Other invasive plant species can already be found in many gardens and are becoming increasingly common in the Cologne area. These include, for example, the well-known Japanese knotweed, which surprises with an impressive growth rate of up to 25 centimeters per day. It can claim entire areas for itself with little effort - just one piece of root is enough for propagation! At this point it becomes clear that invasive green does not only leave behind a beauty: the fight often has to be carried out with great effort using machines, because the root balls can reach up to two meters deep ARD Alpha.

Another example is the narrow-leaved groundsel, which is not only poisonous but also spreads quickly, often along roadsides or in gardens. Particular caution is required here, as the toxins that can enter the food chain endanger the health of humans and animals. Allergies caused by ragweed pollen production also pose additional challenges. This invasive plant species produces up to several billion pollens that can trigger allergies such as asthma and itching, highlighting the need for control ARD Alpha.

Conclusion: inform and act

The often underestimated challenges associated with invasive plant species should not be taken lightly. If you want to pick up a shovel in your own garden, you should pay particular attention to their origin and potential effects when selecting plants. The Tchibo set may seem tempting, but the question of which plants belong in the conservation hedge requires careful research. If you are unsure, you can find valuable information in the relevant databases, such as on the Invasive Plant Atlas website. This means that local gardens can continue to be a place of diversity and beauty.