Guess the weed... help please

iain.leslie

Hi all,
I've been scratching my head about a mystery weed that has been enjoying life at the bottom of my communal garden, and I was wondering if it looks familiar to anyone?

I'm relatively new to horticulture so won't be able to give a particularly helpful description, but from what I can tell it has a deep root network, has individual stems which grow to approximately 1m tall, opposite leaves and white flowers & occasionally white berries. I've attached two photos which will give a better idea than any description from me! My neighbours apparently cut the weeds right back last year, but the root system meant they grew back with a vengeance the following spring. From what I can tell, the best plan might be to cut back all the stems and bury the entire area in a good layer of mulch for at least 2 years?

Thanks in advance!

IL

pr1mr0se

It looks like "Snowberry" - Symphoricarpos.  It's not generally thought of a weed - although if it is spreading (which it can do easily by suckers) and is out of control, it probably is acting like an uninvited guest!

Perhaps the best way to deal with it is to dig out as much root as possible, and be vigilant when smaller shoots come through. 


Someone else may be have a different/better identification, though. 

Paul B3

May be Symphoricarpos albus (Common Snowberry) ; can be invasive if not controlled !

Lizzie27

Hello  @iain.leslie I'm not sure but it might be a shrub commonly called 'Snowberry', judging by the berries on the pic above. it might be best if you dig it out as much as possible because it suckers like mad.  Hopefully other posters might have more ideas.

B3

It's a weed in my garden😐

Lizzie27

Looks like we all had the same thought and hit the button!

iain.leslie

Thanks everyone, great to have the mystery solved! It's all over the place at the moment but hopefully will be able to get it back under control.
Much appreciated!

JAYJARDIN

We have that too and it's definitely Snowberry. The problem with it is that the roots run under the ground for meters and it comes up all over the place, even in the lawn. We have dug the main roots out but it seems impossible to be rid of it completely. The only great thing about it is that the bees love the tiny flowers. We just dig it up when it surfaces again but cannot get rid of it.