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Help with Invasive Weed

Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 456
edited April 2023 in Problem solving
Hi,

I have a huge number of a particular weed which I think is ‘Lords and Ladies’ as per my plant ID app (which I did last year). Last year there were few of these weeds but this year they are everywhere!



Removing them is tricky because when you get a good grip on the stem it comes off without the roots so easily. The only way is to dig them out with a spade but a lot are growing very close to other plants so it is difficult to do. 

I have a cottage garden and RHS seem to think they can be nice to have in a border if they are low in numbers. I think it’s more of a weed. Any advice on this weed is much appreciated.  

Also what are people’s thoughts on the celandine you can see there (yellow flowers) - should I remove those too?

Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    We use a pick axe in that situation Alfie,  you can get the point in between other plants, you have to go deep to get the roots out though.
    Celendine,  something  you’ll probably never get rid of,  if you leave any tiny bulb in,  off it goes again.
    I leave patches of it in certain areas, the bees love it,  but when it’s among flowers I try to get out as much as I can. 
    It does take liberties. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Digging them out, you need to get the tubers (rhizomes), out as well. and they are often very deep. Weedkiller does work if you add a little washing up liquid to the spray to make it sticky.  Otherwise hoe, hoe and hoe again, for years if needed. Don't let them flower.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I just keep digging them both out, but I let some grow in wilder areas. Celandines are pretty and at least they die down completely in the summer.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    I have lords and ladies for the first time (since I moved).  I wasn’t sure and was leaning towards leaving it. It’s a shady area and the leaves are nice. Having never dealt with it before though, not sure how much trouble it will be.
  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
    edited April 2023
    It does spread a lot, but the leaves do disappear completely by midsummer and you're then left with just the berry spike for the rest of the year (or nothing at all if you deadhead, which is what I try to do)
  • Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 456
    Thanks for the advice. I think I will try and remove most but might leave some in the shady areas. Coincidentally, I was watching the new Attenborough about the British Isles and he dedicates part of an episode to them. Was quite interesting. 
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Just be careful if you have any domestic animals roaming about the garden as the berries alongside the rest of the plant are poisonous. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
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