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Invader in the strawberry patch - friend or foe

BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
in Plants
Just discovered that whatever this dead plant was, it had sent out half a dozen scouts, which were starting to establish around 50-60cms from the host.

I didn't like the look of it and it was colonising my sacred strawberry patch so I've pulled it all out.

Can anyone identify? 

East Lancs
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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    The green ones could be Willowherbs … but the first is wrong for that. 

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





  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    edited December 2021
    Hmmm... they were all connected  ;)
    East Lancs
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    🤔 ….

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





  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 782
    I agree it is one of the bigger types of willowherb and have seen them looking dead like the original one after they finish flowering. The old flower heads are usually more visible but it depends on how the dead material breaks down from plant to plant.
    https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableveg/videos
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Willowherb for me too.
    I've had masses of it farther down the garden.
    A mother plant that sends out offspring from its roots.
    I've spent ages digging it out and I still find bits popping up

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It’s probably a long time since I’ve seen a mature one … I leap on the beggars as soon as they appear 😡 

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





  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    I've clearly let a couple survive to maturity this year without realising what shenanigans were going on below ground :o Won't happen again  ;) 
    East Lancs
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I never let them get far enough to be 'dead', so it was hard to connect the 1st pic with the others!
    Once you've battled them for long enough, you get quite good at spotting them - whether annuals or perennials. Sneaky wee b*ggers  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    I have a bad habit of seeing what looks like a new weed and wondering what it is and will it flower :( 

    Rather than pulling it out and chucking it in the garden waste like sensible folk would.
    East Lancs
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Biglad,huh, not impressed haha, mine contained hundred of vine wevill grubs AND a Herring Gull egg,beat that!
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