Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed and nine 'criminal' plants you should not let grow in your garden by law

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

As the summer period rolls in, many will be planning on spending more time tending to their gardens.

However, there are many plants out there that can cause havoc to your beautiful flower bed. And while some plants such as Japanese Knotweed don't create an eyesore, they can be detrimental to your garden if they grow undetected, the Express reports.

In fact, some plants are so dangerous to the health of surrounding flora, that regulations are in place that will land any gardener in trouble if they don't keep them under control. According to official government advice, there are some plants which must not be planted without exception - if they are found to be grown you must remove them or prevent them from spreading to avoid damage to land or property.

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Failing to do so could lead to prosecution. Here is a breakdown of nine plants which gardeners must keep an eye out for this summer or run the risk of getting into trouble, courtesy of Fantastic Gardeners.

Spear Thistle

The attractive Spear Thistle is considered to be an extremely invasive species and poses a significant threat to other UK plant species. It is a problematic weed because it produces a tap root on germination, with lateral roots that grow horizontally.

The plant is also highly adaptable and can compete with most plants it comes into contact with.

Common ragwort

This weed is deceptively beautiful with its yellow flowers. However it is actually poisonous to most mammals and is one of the most commonly reported weeds found throughout the UK.

It harbours a significant threat to livestock and other animals.

Broad-leaved dock

The green, leafy Broad-leaved dock is an