Forum home› Problem solving

Knotweed or not weed?

veryceriveryceri Posts: 5
in Problem solving

Hi all,

i have just discovered this plant in our new garden. Seems to be growing really fast and out of everything ( steps, paths, lawn, embankment....). Thought it might be knotweed at first but then noticed it seems to want to climb by its twisting nature. I don't really want it but it's everywhere... Any ideas what it is and how I can get rid of it? Your help is much appreciated!

http://webkit-fake-url://4af2aec4-5495-4967-a6f7-d3e484746bba/imagejpeg

 

 

many thanks

«1

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,134

    I can't open your pic I'm afraid but it sounds like bindweed. It can be difficult to eradicate.

    Assuming that it is, weedkiller is the only way if there's a lot, as any pieces left when you dig it out will just regrow.

    If you can, you can cut it all back and then apply a suitable spray to the new growth when there's enough if it. That's usually the easiest method. image

    No doubt, some will argue about the use of chemicals, but frankly, you'll spend forever trying to dig it all out if it's taking over. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • veryceriveryceri Posts: 5

    Oh. I can see one.... ? Shall try again.....??????

    image

     

  • veryceriveryceri Posts: 5

    I snapped one of the stems and it's quite milky and sticky if that helps. It has a red stem and young red leaves which turn green as they form. Sort of heart shaped....

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,922

    I agree, if it's twining then it's either one of the bindweeds or a rampant honeysuckle or similar.

    Whichever it is you want it got rid of - I prefer not to use chemicals if I can help it, but I believe that they do have their place when in extremis, and this sounds like it.

    We took over a garden with rampant bindweed and used glyphosate several times over that summer which totally eradicated it.  After that we just had to watch out for it spreading in from surrounding gardens, and zap it with a quick spray.

    The trick with glyphosate is to leave the plants to die for at least a fortnight after spraying until they are withered and brown.  That means that the chemical has got back to the roots and killed them too.  If you pull the topgrowth too soon you'll leave living roots behind and they'll grow all over again!

    Good luck image

    P.S.  To post a picture click on the green tree icon on the toolbar above where you type your post.  Or you can put the pics on a photo-hosting site and post a link.

    There are improvements afoot to make the site easier for such things - not long to go now image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,922

    Aha, you posted while I was typing LOL

    Yes, it's the white flowering bindweed aka Greater Bindweed

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calystegia_sepium it has a pretty face but like many pretty faces, you shouldn't be fooled by it! image 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • veryceriveryceri Posts: 5

    Thank you dovefromabove! It is pretty... Reminds me of my childhood but you're right, don't want it taking over the garden! not fond of chemicals but there a huge amount of this stuff... Might well have to bite the bullet.

    is glyphosate dog friendly ( like most weed killers, allowing a few hours for the stuff to work before normal service can be resumed with children and animals)?

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,697

    I spent 20 years trying to fork it out of an area of the veg patch. Eventually I gave up, left it fallow for a year, gave it two doses of glyphosate, one in May and another for regrowth in august. That killed it.

    It will save you years of work if you kill it off now. You lose a years planting, but save years of effort trying to fork it out.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,922
    veryceri wrote (see)

    ... is glyphosate dog friendly ( like most weed killers, allowing a few hours for the stuff to work before normal service can be resumed with children and animals)?

    Yes just let it dry then they'll be fine image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • veryceriveryceri Posts: 5

    It's mostly growing on a shady embankment that the previous owner has covered in weed control blanket and gravel. Being an embankment, most of the blanket and gravel are now at the bottom!

    shall b&q it today for some glyphosate.

    thanks all. Was having actual nightmares last night about knotweed dramas!

    now, what to do with a shady embankment......... ????

Sign In or Register to comment.