Frogs in Flowers - Should we be concerned about invasive species?

Frogs in Flowers - Should we be concerned about invasive species?

As a flower farmer committed to sustainable practices, I’m passionate about nurturing a thriving, biodiverse environment for both my plants and the surrounding wildlife. However, over the years, I’ve become increasingly concerned about the growing issue of invasive species – particularly insects, fungi, and bacteria - and the significant threats they pose to the health of our ecosystems and the success of agriculture in the UK. I hadn't even really thought about frogs but they are definitely a huge concern. This does not just apply to flower farming, but all farming our food included!

So you can imagine my surprise when I saw this article this morning over my morning cup of tea about a Sheffield Florist who found a Columbian Tree Frog in her imported roses. 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/17/colombian-tree-frog-sheffield-florist-invasive-species-threat

But what are invasive species? How do they affect our ecosystems? And why should we care?

Invasive species are organisms that are introduced, either intentionally or accidentally, into an area where they are not native. They can wreak havoc on local biodiversity, outcompeting native species for resources, disrupting ecosystems, and even causing economic harm.

1. Invasive Insects: A Growing Challenge

Invasive insects can be incredibly damaging to both wild and cultivated plants. The box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis), for example, has spread across the UK and poses a significant threat to boxwood plants. These moth larvae defoliate box trees, which are commonly used in ornamental plantings and flower arrangements.

Another significant threat is the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), which has been spreading across the UK in recent years. This non-native species is more aggressive and poses a direct threat to our native pollinators like honeybees. Since honeybees and other insects play a vital role in pollinating many of our flowers we rely on, the presence of the Asian hornet could severely disrupt yields. While they do not directly harm crops, their impact on local pollinator populations can have a cascading effect on the overall health of farm ecosystems.


Source: Gilles San Martin


Pollination is not as simple as it may seem. Many species of insect only pollinate certain flowers. Working in symbiotic relationships that have evolved over centuries or millennia. We lose one part of this tight knit relationship and large holes in the ecosystem start to appear.

2. Amphibians:

Amphibians, such as the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), are another invasive species causing disruption in the UK. Originally brought here as pets, these frogs have now become a major ecological concern. They prey on native species of frogs, out compete native frogs for food, and even carry a fungal disease, chytridiomycosis which out native amphibians are susceptible too. All this upsets the delicate balance of wetland ecosystems. These ecosystems are vital breeding grounds of many insects, and play a large role in pollination and pest control, the introduction of such invasive amphibians can lead to reduced biodiversity and the loss of vital services provided by native wildlife.

3. Fungi: A Silent Destroyer

Our native fungi are beneficial to soil health and plant growth, working closely with plant roots to support them. But when we introduce fungi that aren't native we can get huge problems.

Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), a serious fungal disease, imported from Asia to Europe about 30 years ago, and first being confirmed in the UK in 2012, which has been wreaking havoc on  our native ash trees. The woodland trust pessimistically predicts it could wipe out up to 80% of our native Ash trees, and cost the government up to £15 billion. The disease has killed large numbers of trees. Although ash dieback primarily targets trees, its impact extends to the broader ecosystem, including pollinators and other plants that rely on ash trees for shelter or food. The loss of ash trees can disrupt local biodiversity and ecosystem services, such as pest control and pollination, making it more difficult to sustain healthy flower crops.

Ash Dieback image : Source

4. Bacterial Infections: A Growing Concern

Bacterial pathogens, such as Xylella fastidiosa, present an emerging threat to plants in the UK. While it is not currently in the UK yet, this bacterial disease affects a wide range both crops and ornamental plants, including many commonly grown flowers. X. fastidiosa is known to spread rapidly through plant material and can lead to the decline and death of infected plants, causing significant economic losses for farmers. It is already causing some decimation in Europe, and fears are rising over when it will reach the UK. 

So what about that frog in the roses in Sheffield?

While a one of instance such as this doesn't pose much of a threat. It was one frog, contained and captured. It didn't interfere with out local ecosystems. It does pose a greater question - what actions is the UK government taking to prevent invasive species arriving in our country? If something as large as a frog can be missed, and make it here all the way from Columbia, what insects, fungi and bacteria are hiding in these flowers? They are washed and treated with pesticides, and regulations are in place. but are they enough? what is slipping through the cracks? Frogs clearly!


Shop British Flowers this Valentine's Day

With Valentines just around the corner aswell, it's a prime time to highlight the fact that roses don't grow in the UK in february!! Therefore all the the roses you see in the shops for valentines day are imported from the equator, primarily Columbia and Kenya. 

But that doesn't mean there aren't flowers available. There are tiny independent florists like myself up and down the country supplying valentines bouquets of only British grown flowers. There aren't your traditional roses, but they are none the less beautiful, highly scented, fresh and locally grown. 

Feel free to have a peek at my Valentines bunches here

 

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