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What is this plant/weed? Never seen it before...

jamiepeterwebbjamiepeterwebb Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi all, 

I have a cotswold loose stone pathway in my garden and it has been pushed up by a weed that has spread everywhere underneath it. The roots are really fragile and break easily and it seems to grow from just the smallest piece. 
Can anybody identify it and have recommendations on how to remove it for good? 

Thanks all, 
Jamie. 

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Looks like acanthus. It's a garden plant but it is a spreader.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Looks like Acanthus mollis (Bear's Breeches) to me too. If so, it'll be the devil to remove as it does regenerate from the smallest pieces. You might have to go chemical if you really want shut of it.
  • jamiepeterwebbjamiepeterwebb Posts: 2
    Thanks for the quick replies guys. Having done some research it seems its a bit of a nightmare to get rid of. It wouldn't be so terrible if wasn't growing under the path!

    Im thinking of digging it as deep as I can to remove as much of the root as possible and then filling it with compacted hardcore/sub-base. Do you think that will prevent any bits left from growing and moving the path up and eventually kill it?
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    If you put a good barrier membrane down under the hard-core, I reckon it will struggle to push through. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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