FÖRSÄLJNING AV OCH INSTÄLLNING TILL FRÄMMANDE VÄXTER I TRÄDGÅRDSBRANSCHEN

Abstract

Alien plants that have intentionally been introduced to an area for cultivation in public or private gardens constitute the primary pathway of introduction for invasive alien species that spread into nature. Garden owners want species that have satisfying characteristics, these characteristics are often also linked to plant invasiveness. Thus, the horticulture industry plays an important role by making scientifically based decisions and phasing out invasive plants and replacing them with alternative species with satisfying characteristics, but low risks of becoming invasive. This thesis aimed to examine the sale of and the attitudes towards alien plants in the horticulture industry in Sweden. Alien terrestrial plants identified to have a severe risk, high risk or potentially high risk of spreading and becoming invasive according to ArtDatabankens assessment, were examined to see if they were for sale. Twelve assortment lists were searched to examine which alien plants were for sale. In total 136 species were included in the search, 77 of these species were found in at least one assortment list and 44 of the 77 species were sold by 50 percent or more of the companies. To examine the attitudes towards alien species in the horticulture industry interviews were conducted with six participants from the horticulture industry. No common attitude towards invasive alien species could be found, some companies were more positive about how media and agencies have spread information about invasive alien species whilst some companies were more critical about how this information has been presented. Some companies are positively inclined to phase out invasive plants whilst other companies highlighted that invasive species do not have to be invasive in the whole of Sweden and that one must differentiate pure species from cultivars. To effectively reduce the spread of potentially invasive plants the collaboration between the horticulture industry and agencies must be improved.