Ground Elder

[toomanytommytoes]

Is this what I think it is? Doesn't seem to have the triternate (3 sets of 3) leaf structure, but presumably these are young stems.

[nickdub]

Certainly looks like ground elder - if it was in my border I'd get under the base of the plant with a knife or trowel and get some of the roots out - should be easy enough to confirm the id when you see those.

[Thelma Sanders]

Looks like the ground elder shown here https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardenin...und-elder.html

[toomanytommytoes]

It's only appeared this year and is only present over a relatively small area, so hopefully its roots haven't established that much. I am loath to use weedkiller in our garden but I'm probably to treat it with SBK Brushwood Killer, painting it on to avoid any collateral damage as can happen with sprays. Can do the brambles and ivy growing in the wall at the same time.

[Chrissyteacup]

I have ground elder in my borders I’m attempting growing some Mexican marigolds as that’s meant to slow it down- worth a shot!

[Scarlet]

Hmm, I've lived with ground elder for 20 years / I've never used weed killer.

If I knew what I do now. I would have zapped it at the time. Once it gets in the lawn you will never get rid of it.

It is really invasive. Marigolds won't stop it. Attack it now with everything you've got. It is miserable stuff

Unfortunately I think it's too late for my garden.

[Scarlet]

It gets between all your plants...so it is a nightmare to get rid off.
Zoom in and see it all in between ;(


The fork is in there as I've been digging it away from new plants

[toomanytommytoes]

Yep, it's growing between other plants here too. Just noticed it a month or so ago when it was very small wasn't sure what it was at the time...now it's spread quite quickly but only over an area of around 0.5m2. The neighbours a few doors down had quite a lot of it until last year, so presumably it's come over by seed.

[Scarlet]

Be aggressive. I so wish I had done something then but it's impossible to dig it out by hand and plants won't smoother it.
I've done every " natural " way possible.

[mrbadexample]

That looks brutal. I'd nuke it too.

[Angeldon]

It gets between all your plants...so it is a nightmare to get rid off.
Zoom in and see it all in between ;(
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The fork is in there as I've been digging it away from new plants

Even with the ground elder your border looks beautiful

[Aberdeenplotter]

It's only appeared this year and is only present over a relatively small area, so hopefully its roots haven't established that much. I am loath to use weedkiller in our garden but I'm probably to treat it with SBK Brushwood Killer, painting it on to avoid any collateral damage as can happen with sprays. Can do the brambles and ivy growing in the wall at the same time.

I'd be for treating it with a glyphosate based weedkiller. At this time of year when it is growing vigorously it will be stopped in its tracks.

[toomanytommytoes]

I've painted every leaf I could find (wow...this stuff spreads quickly!) with SBK...it worked really well on big bramble stems and ivy in the wall last year so should be able to handle this. Will treat again with SBK or glyphosate after 6 weeks if it's still popping up.