What is this plant?
hannahbudd
Posts: 2
Hello everyone!
Can anyone advise what this plant it? It is all over mine and my neighbours garden and despite digging it up it always comes back and seems to be spreading!
Nobody seems to know what it could be.
Many thanks ☺️
0
Posts
It looks like Saponaria Officinales, Soapwort.
You don't live the other side of our next door neighbour do you? It keeps coming under the fence here too
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Called soapwort because it lathers if you crush it in water. Used to be used for washing delicate fabrics and I believe some consevators still find it better than anything else for ancient silks and glove leather.
Thanks all! I think you're right, it does seem to be soapwort. How do you get rid of it?
We moved in nearly 3 years ago and are trying to make the existing borders smaller so they're more managable for us. They were 9ft wide on both sides, we have sorted out the left but are trying to do the right and this soapwort just keeps on reshooting. I have dug down about 1.5ft and turned the soil over, removing all traces of it, so imagine my surprise when it's nearly filled the entire border again. It's also in the grass and coming up in between paving slabs. I am at my wits end! ?
There is no fast and easy way. Seeds and roots are clearly present and can be around for years. It may even be brought in from nearby areas you may not be aware of. Sounds like you are doing a good job in limiting its growth at the moment, and this will eventually die down. I don't even think weedkiller will end it completely as you mention paving slabs are filling up with it, so it's one of those things in gardening, accept it may always be returning. As soon as you see the tell-tale leaves, just weed them off. Don't hoe it off, but try to dig deep and follow the roots.