Kristina Blennow

Ornamental horticultural plants in domestic gardens can constitute a substantial dispersal pool of potentially invasive species. Understanding garden owners' preferences when selecting plants, their awareness of dispersal pathways and how they manage their gardens is critical for effective invasive species control. This study used a survey to investigate Swedish garden owners' (n = 743) plant selection priorities, awareness of invasive species dispersal pathways, and management methods across three biosphere reserves in different bio-climatic regions in Sweden. Results show that garden owners prioritise aesthetics, practical characteristics, such as habitat suitability, hardiness, and biodiversity benefits, such as pollinator support, over geographical origin when selecting plants. Management methods perceived as effective, such as hand weeding and digging, were used more frequently than methods such as hot water and salt, which were considered less effective or whose efficiency was uncertain to the respondents. Gardening interest was significantly associated with both ecological knowledge and preference for biodiversity-supporting benefits. Our findings suggest the need for targeted communication strategies that account for regional geographical and gardening variations, plant-specific information, and actual management method effectiveness. These insights can lead to effective stakeholder engagement in invasive species management in domestic gardens.