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How can I remove/reduce an invasion of snowberry

herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
in Problem solving
Hiding in my house because of the weather I am watching some lovely shrubs (with fond associations) going crispy  :/    Everything seems to be suffering except the annoying Snowberry ( sorry Punkdoc - Symphoricarpos albus ) which I have struggled to keep under control for many years.

It is close to some shrubs I love so have been loathe to douse it with anything toxic but I think it will be time to 'deal' with it if I get back into the garden. Any suggestions?

This is a really bad picture as it is too hot to go out and get a better one - sorry. Right to left are; crispy hypericum, just managing cotoneaster, choisya, last attempt to kill snowberry, this years suckers now encroaching on crispy bamboo. Happily the pear tree seems to be OK.

"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I cut it to the ground and then shredded it for compost. That leaves the roots to fork out. As they are fairly shallow, it is not hard unless you are on clay.
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    I am indeed on (concrete at the moment) clay @fidgetbones and I have cut it down three years running but it just seems to sucker up somewhere else. Have tried to dig it out but there are so many roots in that corner it is a bit much for me. Thinking of asking family for a mattock for Christmas, how desperate is that?
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Mattock essential


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    OK, that's Christmas sorted! 
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    Yes, a tool you never knew you needed until you have one.  Can't imagine being without mine now.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    I'm sold @BobTheGardener !  Is it worth getting the one's with the double end? You know pick axe/ice axe ?
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    If on heavy clay, I can recommend the Neverbend rootbreaker, by Spear and Jackson. Good for bramble roots too.

  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    Thank you @fidgetbones, found it on offer at W***es so I might treat myself. I have managed to get the bramble under control but if it is that good it my solve my ivy problem. Going to be a very physical autumn I'm thinking.
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    I have the Roughneck 5lb from screwfix.  Just noticed they do a smaller 1lb one too - hmm.. I might find I need one of those, too, after I have bought it! :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    Just looked at that one too @BobTheGardener, wondering which will be better for me now. Like the idea of the handle grip on the roughneck, is it sturdy though, it's going to have to work as hard as me!
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
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