What's this please? A Weed?

Posts

• nutcutlet Posts: 27,445

  May 2018

  Arum italicum

  
  
  In the sticks near Peterborough

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• andylennon1 Posts: 13

  May 2018

  Thank you - I have noticed the berries previously but this year the leaf growth is much more prominent - does it spread? should it be controlled at all?
  
  thanks

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• BobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

  May 2018

  It spreads rapidly from the seeds and slowly via the roots (unless you unwittingly dig an area over where they are growing, in which case lots more will pop-up.)  If you let it produce berries (toxic), be sure to remove and dispose of them before they ripen.
  

  A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  

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• andylennon1 Posts: 13

  May 2018

  Thanks bob. We did a fair amount of landscaping last year so could this have helped it spread? I remember it previously but only a stem and berries. Why do I need to remove the berries? I have no pets. 
  
  Thanks

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• andylennon1 Posts: 13

  May 2018

  Sorry bob - I think I understand now. You mean remivdvthe berries if I want to control the spread - right? Does that mean green bin, not compost?

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• andylennon1 Posts: 13

  May 2018

  Also - is there a way to reduce the size - you suggest just digging it over might produce more, so should I just cut it back or dig sections of it out and bin?
  thanks

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• BobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

  May 2018

  It's difficult to control but pulling it up weakens it.  It's hard to dig out as it grows from a small sort of corm which tends to look the same as surrounding chunks of soil and can be quite deep.  Dispose of the seed heads and any pulled-up or dug up parts in your green bin, definitely not in with the compost.
  

  A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  

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