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Native or giant hogweed?!?

sharonenglish1142RSxFq7yUsharonenglish1142RSxFq7yU Posts: 8
in Problem solving





Another potential rogue in my new garden, as flagged by my neighbour! 🙄 She said the previous owner let this grow in the back, and our neighbour thinks it might be giant hogweed. Ie next down from the gardners hitlist of no no plants!

I am looking online and i suspect this is native Hogweed.  The leaves are not so serated and there are definitely downy hairs on top of leaf. 
As they are still relatively young, i want to nip in the bud now eirher way. If so glyphosate  and constant vigilence for either? If giant am i allowed to take treat dead stuff to tip or will i have to burn at home?
Any help would be grateful... I already have bindweed /grand alder /white and black bryony / bramble /nettles / and another rogue horsetail... 🙄 
Not feeling a very eco Gardner atm as the weedkiller is out in force in this new garden 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    That’s our native Hogweed. I would just cut it down every year after it's flowered … it can look fantastic in flower. 

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





  • WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 344
    Do not let it touch your skin.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’ve gathered bare arms full of it for my pet rabbits and goats throughout my childhood. It’s not dangerous. Apparently it can give some people with very sensitive skin a mild rash. I’ve never ever had a rash or anything untoward happen to me from picking loads of it. 
    In my long years of experience Common Hogweed  really is not at all dangerous. 

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





  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited May 2023
    I grow Giant Hogweed, it's wonderfully architectural.  I collect the seeds early and make sure it doesn't escape.

    The main risk is to children making pea-shooters from the stems.   "Keep away from children"!
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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