Identify mystery climber

yarrow2

Hi folks.

This 'thing' has scrambled 10ft (since March) along a fence which borders a neighbour.  No idea what it is.  I've left it for a bit in case it was a forgotten clematis - but it looks too wild.  It came up in the same way last year, produced no buds or flowers - but it's vigorous and really really strong.  Unlike a clematis where you have to delicately direct the stems to where you want one - you touch the stems on this one, pull it like mad, and it's strong as anything and won't come away.  I can't get to the base of it to dig it out as it's in a messy corner where neighbours throw any old junk over and I can't get into it now.

Any idea what it is? Thought at first it might be a 'hop' of some kind, but it doesn't look to me like a friendly interloper.   Thanks in advance for any response. 

bullfinch

It looks like 'old man's beard ' (that's what my grandma used to call it). I think it's a type of wild clematis.

yarrow2

'bullfinch'- thanks so much for that reply.  It does look to me like a wild clematis - I looked up 'old man's beard' and found a photo alongside it of Clem virginiana - which my leaves maybe match better - but I'm not sure.

I've cut most of it down today as it is growing so fast it is strangling a rose and some perennials.  I suspect I'm going to have to keep chopping it all year as I can't get access to where the root is.

Thank you.  Much appreciated.

B3

You need to keep at it. It has dreams of world domination!

yarrow2

Yes B3 - it sure has!

Palustris

And whatever you do, do not allow it to flower. The seeds blow everywhere and germinate with a vengeance.