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Invasive plant on lawn - identification and advice please!
visgraat
Posts: 4
Hello all,
Complete newbie gardener here just moved into a house with a (potentially) lovely garden. There is a green leafed plant which is fighting to grow in all edges and is creeping onto lawn (see photo). Wondered if anyone could identify it and give me any tips for removing and/or controlling in long term! I have tried pulling up by hand in one area, but it returns v. quickly!
Thanks, visgraat
0
Posts
Oh dear, looks like Ground Elder to me. Aegopodium podagraria L.
http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/solve-problems/ground-elder/
Yep, that's a pretty bad infestation and I would have no hesitation in using a glyphosate based systemic weedkiller on it. This will also kill any grass which gets sprayed, unfortunately, so I would concentrate on getting rid of the ground elder and plan to re-sow the lawn with seed once you are sure you are rid of this pernicious weed.
Apologies for eroding your confidence , but that's one of worst weeds ever !
Thanks for your replies - I'm on the case!
You can eat the young leaves. But do so before you use any weed killer. I've just dug out a load, as it was very close to an apple, and I feared using a chemical that might hurt the apple. Already I can see signs that it's desperate to make a come back. I did figure that if you get a taste for it, you'll probably turn the tables, and after a while there won't be enough.
Last edited: 22 June 2017 23:47:56
If constantly mowed the part on the grass will eventually give up but it's the parts at the sides that would worry me too. I've got some under a tree canopy where it's dark so haven't attempted to remove it yet