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What's this weed?

heatherjtthomsonheatherjtthomson Posts: 20
in Plants
Hi - this was everywhere last year, so in November I put down a layer of cardboard and a thick (not thick enough?) mulch of bark, and here is is right back again.  Can anyone tell what it is and how to stop it.  It seems very stubborn!  thanks

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Looks very much like a Creeping Buttercup to me ... best way to get rid of it is, every time you see one at that stage get a hand fork and loosen it at the roots and then ease it out of the ground without snapping it off.  They spread by sending out sprawling shoots that root quickly, while your back is turned .... 

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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Looks like there's loads of it. All along the fence line. That'll be fun... :/

    If it's an unplanted area, and there's loads of it, you might be better just using a targeted weed killer. The mild conditions have meant that lots of weeds are in growth. Normally it wouldn't be worth using one at this time of year because there wouldn't be sufficient greenery for them to be effective. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • heatherjtthomsonheatherjtthomson Posts: 20
    Yep @Fairygirl, alllllll along the fence line popping through the bark, all 10m 🤦🤦.   I've got young poplars down there but that's all.. do you think I'd be as well raking off all the bark, dealing with it and then replacing the bark?  @Dovefromabove so is it's creeping habit the reason why my attempts to stifle it with cardboard and bark haven't worked?    I feel like this thing has the potential to be my garden nemesis!  

    Thank you ☺️
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited January 2022
    It’s a perennial … mulching is unlikely to kill off native perennial plants I’m afraid … they’ll just grow through it unless it’s very thick indeed 😢  … they need eradicating before applying the mulch. 😒 

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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - you'll need to remove the bark and tackle it whichever way you want before replacing it -  it would be impossible otherwise.
    As @Dovefromabove says - mulching won't get rid of it. Even a very thick layer would be no use because it'll find it's way out through the side, the same way that horsetail does. 
    Once you've got rid of it, it's easier to spot it and deal with it right away if [when!] it reappears.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • heatherjtthomsonheatherjtthomson Posts: 20
    edited January 2022
    Oh man, I know what my 'job for the weekend' is then!  😆 Thanks both for your advice
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