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Groundelder and ground covering plants

BanditaBandita Posts: 35
in Problem solving
Could I tackle the problem of groundelder by planting some ground covering plants? Would they maybe overtake the groundelder?? Tried digging out didn't work. 
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  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    edited July 2018
    I think the short answer to your question is " not a hope in 'ell"
    In your words " digging didn't work" and, as much as some will throw their hands up in horror, I'd advise you to carefully , and selectively use Roundup.
    Devon.
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    I’m experimenting with that exactly on a dry slope where for some reason strawberry plants are very invasive. They are a pretty plant with a pink flower, I think pink panda, though I think the voles or the birds get all the strawberries, I don’t see many. 
    In another area it’s up against vinca major. The strawberries work well, as the ground elder has to shoot above it, and I come and pull it out, probably 2 or 3 times a year, so it’s not a big chore.  It is weaker each year. 
    I don’t think there is the same solution for everyone, pick something you like that grows very well in your garden that you can stand. 
    I have used roundup previously when had a patch of it, but I haven’t got rid of it sadly!
     
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Geraniun Macrorrhizum does a pretty good job, I have a vivid pink one which runs rampant on a local estate, the white one is less vigourous. Vinca might work too, though I don't have it in the same part of the garden as GE. Basically anything that would stand a chance has to be just as invasive, and preferably evergreen or semi evergreen, so it gets a head start on the GE in spring. Lysimachia punctata is another that does well, as it starts early and shades it out.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Part of the success of ground elder is that it starts growing VERY early in the season, I'd say, IMHO even earlier than Lysminachia. 
    To each his own, but I'd not introduce something invasive to attempt to eradicate something invasive.
    Devon.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Funnily enough I was reading GW mag from this January the other day and Anne Swithinbank recommends G. macrorrhizum too. Also G. nodosum (https://www.pressreader.com/uk/gardeners-world/20171228/282527248772929). And apparently Tagetes minuta actually reduces ground elder - the only mention I can find online is right towards the bottom here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningadvice/10075491/Companion-planting-friends-with-benefits-for-your-garden.html , but I first heard about it on an RHS course - there are trials going on somewhere .
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Vinca can turn out to be a real pest too.
    It doesn't just stop when it gets to the edge of the bit you want to cover, it just keeps on covering.
    I've spent a good few days trying to remove mine, but I know it'll be back :#
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    B3 said:
    Vinca can turn out to be a real pest too.
    It doesn't just stop when it gets to the edge of the bit you want to cover, it just keeps on covering.
    I've spent a good few days trying to remove mine, but I know it'll be back :#
    My point exactly.
    Devon.
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    Damn I think I bought 20 vincas, sounds like I should have just gone round to B3’s house in a van!
    Myself I could supply a lorry load of G macrorrhizum. I think you are right, this plant would work well, though I find it duller than vinca. Easy to pull out when you are done with it though. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I've still got plenty  :#
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    For an alternative approach ...

    sink a vertical membrane barrier around/alongside it where you don't want it to spread ... when it appears in the spring harvest the young leaves ... loads of recipes here 

    https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ground+elder+recipes&rlz=1C1PRFC_enGB734GB735&oq=ground+elder&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0l5.4785j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

    after all, the Romans introduced it here as a vegetable.

    Use the flowers in a vase of spring flowers ... very  pretty.

    When it's flowered and before it seeds strim.cut it back.  New foliage will appear and you can harvest it again. 

    If you can't beat it .... eat it.  ;)

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





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