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Ornamental Equisetum - a problem?

LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,238
in Plants

Hello green-fingered gurus! Just a quick question about ornamental equisetum, or horsetail. I've seen this in the garden of a house that I am thinking of making an offer on. I'm 100% sure it has been bought from a garden centre and planted in the last year or two. It just looks obviously 'planted'.

Is this plant as problematic as it's invasive native cousin? I vowed to myself that I would try and avoid buying a house with horsetail in the garden, after reading so many anguished threads about it here!

Posts

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,912

    HAVE YOU ASKED THE OWNERS WHY THEY ARE SELLING?

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,162

    there are several equisetum species. I wouldn't trust any of them. I've seen one in boggy part of a garden near a pond, springing up everywhere. Another in a botanical garden, quite extensive. Neither of these were the dreaded mares/horsetail, subject of many forum discussions.



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,238

    Thanks guys. I think it's E. japonicum, or barred horsetail.  A previous thread here suggests it's 'well behaved' - http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/problem-solving/equisetum-japonicum/981316.html

    But I'm still skeptical so if I do buy, I will hoik it out.

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