But were you aware of the nine garden plants that you do not want anywhere near your own personal plot of peace?

From plants hitting your wallet hard (£2500 in some cases) to toxic plants infecting the area, you’ll want to make sure you know what is what.

Garden experts from Power Sheds have listed the top criminal plants that can grow in gardens, as well as the fines homeowners could face for having them.

Japanese Knotweed

The Japanese knotweed is one of the most invasive plants around. It has bamboo-like stems and clusters of small white flowers which can cause significant damage to property and infrastructure.

It is difficult to eradicate once established, making it even more important to avoid in your garden. It can regrow quickly and can be costly to leave.

Spear Thistle

The plant has spiky leaves and purple flowers and can spread quickly, causing harm to crops and other vegetation. If discovered, the fines for it can cost up to £2,500.

Common Ragwort

The common ragwort is easily recognisable with its bright yellow flowers and feathery leaves.

Although it is one of the most common weeds, this toxic plant is harmful to livestock.

Broad-Leaved Dock

The plant can be recognised by the broad leaves and spikes of small yellow flowers. If they are found in your garden, you can be fined £2,500.

Curled Dock

Another noxious weed, the curled dock, has distinctive curly leaves and spikes of small yellow flowers.

It can spread quickly and is a flexible weed. Fines of up to £2,500 can be given for allowing it to grow on your property.

Rhododendron Ponticum

The plant has evergreen leaves and large clusters of pink or purple flowers and is poisonous to vegetation and wildlife. It is difficult to eradicate once established, making it even more important to avoid growing it, otherwise, you could face a £5,000 fine.

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Himalayan Balsam

Perhaps one of the quickest to spread, each plant has around 800 seeds that are easily transported by wind, animals, or water, and will grow again.

The plant has spikes of showy pink or purple flowers, and fines can go up to £2,500.

Giant Hogweed

This toxic plant is harmful to humans, as its chemicals can cause significant wounds to the skin.

While for some, it is just a burning sensation, for others, it can cause permanent scars. They can be recognised by their large white flowers and towering height.

New Zealand Pigmyweed

It’s an invasive plant and the sales of this seed have been banned since 2014.

The plant has small green leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers, and it can harm even aquatic environments. If found guilty of having it in your garden, you could face a fine of up to £2,500.

There were steam days across the Easter weekend, giving visitors the chance to ride the trains at the heritage centre next to Didcot Parkway rail station.

The next steam days take place on Saturday, April 18 and Saturday, April 25.

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A spokesman for the centre said: “Steam trains will be operating on at least one of the centre’s two demonstration lines, allowing you to take unlimited rides.

“On many steam days, the second line will be running too and may feature a pioneering diesel railcar, a heritage diesel locomotive or a small branch line steam engine.”

Other attractions at the 21-acre centre include a museum, a cafe, a shop and an engine shed.

Jenny Lange was among the visitors during the Easter weekend.

Her retro outfit included a coat by Mary Magdalene, a hat by Jane Marple, and a bag by ‘Baby, the Stars Shine Bright’.

The compartment she travelled in was No 7372, built in 1948, which was part of the royal train used by the Queen Mother in the 1960s.

Frank Dumbleton, a volunteer at the centre, has been taking photos of visitors with the steam trains.

The incident occurred in Mascord Way, Banbury, on Friday, April 10, just before 3pm, with the road shut while emergency services dealt with a collision.

Thames Valley Police confirmed at the time that a boy, whose age has not been released, was hit by a vehicle and taken to hospital.

Reports said that a Thames Valley Air Ambulance was also deployed to assist in the care and transport of the boy to hospital, and the organisation has now released a statement to confirm.

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A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that our helicopter was dispatched to provide advanced critical care at an incident in Banbury on Friday.”

Mascord Road was closed while emergency responders dealt with the incident, and was reopened several hours later, at about 5.30pm.

Police confirmed the boy has been taken to hospital but would not give any further details on his condition.

A spokesperson for the force said: “If anyone has information and has not already spoken to the force then we would always encourage them to contact us, quoting reference number INC-20260410-1063.”