Thread by @_joelashton

1/9 - This is one of the biggest contradictions I’ve seen. @The_RHS, THE MOST INFLUENTIAL #gardening charity in the UK, whilst promoting Plants For Pollinators, are still endorsing “WEED”KILLERS! 😡 “Inspiring everyone to grow” (except the wildflowers) Don’t believe me?👇🧵

2/9 - Whilst not actively selling this product on their own website, it’s available via @jennychem_. What sickens me more is the detail in which various weed killers are described to eradicate different “weed” species, INCLUDING my favourite #wildflower Bird’s-foot trefoil! 😡

3/9 - Take Bird’s foot trefoil for example. It’s a larval food plant of the Common Blue, Green Hairstreak & Dingy Skipper butterflies and also Six-spot burnet moth. It also provides nectar for many bees and other insects, along with ALL the other plants listed in the next tweet.

4/9 - More plants listed under the “weed” section are plants such as Dandelion, Clover, Greater Celandine, Wild Garlic, Ivy and Bluebells! In the photo below, whilst encouraging wildflowers in lawns, the next para ends “which weedkillers work best for tackling specific weeds.”

5/9 - More photos below showing the weed species as listed in the “weed” section. We seriously need to stop using the word “weed” if we want to change people’s perception of VITAL wildflowers.

6/9 - As I say, the @The_RHS whilst offering advice on how to attract wildlife to your #garden & along with @WildlifeTrusts formed Wild About Gardens, have a duty to encourage others NOT to use weed killers in their #gardens and should not be endorsing the killing of these plants

7/9 - It’s incredibly frustrating as a #wildlifegardener to be actively trying to help others to create #gardens for #wildlife, whilst organisations such as @The_RHS are not using their platforms to fully support a necessary turning point in how we manage our outdoor spaces.

8/9 - We are in a climate emergency, our country is one of the most depleted of #wildlife in the world and yet plants such as the Dandelion, which I’ve just tweeted about, and those mentioned above are still regarded as “weeds.” @The_RHS you need to play your part properly…

9/9 - @The_RHS PLEASE STOP labelling our native #wildflowers as “weeds”, endorsing weed killers & make a stand for the banning of chemicals in #gardens. Let’s move on from “traditional” gardens. You’d gain far more respect from the growing number of #wildlifegarden advocates…