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Plant identification - looks like knotweed

scotterscotter Posts: 8
in Plants
Hi there, is anybody able to help me identify this plant please? Very vigorous and hollow stems. It looks a bit like knotweed but I don't think it is as it was bought from a garden centre some years ago.. Thanks in anticipation 

Posts

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) ; not JKW ! Breath a sigh of relief !
  • Steph17Steph17 Posts: 21
    Himalayan balsam? Does it have popping seed pods? If so, I would say this is just as invasive as the old knotweed, even if it’s not “listed” in terms of mortgage lends etc. I would get rid of it before it takes over the world!
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    No Steph, it is not Himalayan Balsam which is an herbaceous plant. This is a shrub and it is very pretty.
    This is Himalayn balsam, and you are quite correct in saying it is invasive
    Image result for himalayan balsam images





    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd say Leycesteria can be a bit of a weed too. It self seeds all over the place and looks a real mess unless it's pruned every year. IMHO.
    Devon.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I like it but it does need controlling. I don't let it get over 3 or 4 ft. It's not woody so pruning is easy. The seedlings are easy to identity and easy to pull out too.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • scotterscotter Posts: 8
    Great thanks all! Relieved its not JKW :) It does go crazy so will need to start cutting it down a bit further. 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    @scotter, Cut it really hard in Spring , as you would buddliea , and it's fine. 
    Devon.
  • Steph17Steph17 Posts: 21
    Ladybird4 said:
    No Steph, it is not Himalayan Balsam which is an herbaceous plant. This is a shrub and it is very pretty.
    This is Himalayn balsam, and you are quite correct in saying it is invasive
    Image result for himalayan balsam images





    Yes, sorry Ladybird4,  I had forgotten that shape of pod. Haven’t seen it for a while, thankfully. 
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