Ground Elder

[peanut]

I have a wonderful huge old Rose bush but it is growing through a mass of Ground Elder (not my fault I've only just moved here!) What is the best way of getting rid of the Elder without damaging the Rose?

Many thanks

[Alice]

Ground Elder is difficult to get rid of Peanut. If you can spray it with weedkiller , or paint it on, without getting it on the rose it would be the most efective method. You would probably have to do ir several times.
If you try to dig it out you may damage the rose roots and one little bit of the weed left behind will regrow. Do you call it Bishop weed in your area.

[Flummery]

They used to say you have to move to get rid of ground elder. Shame you just have!

I think it's the dab-on weedkiller and, as they say in Harry Potter, constant vigilance!

[JennieAtkinson]

Constant cutting helps (was told this a few years ago) but difficult when its around precious plants. I just keep pulling and digging it and making sure it doesn't flower, although the flowers are quite pretty.

As you can guess I;ve got alot!

[peanut]

Thanks all for the replies, looks like it's time for weedkiller and a paint brush!

[pigletwillie]

Move house!!!!!!

[peanut]

I've only just moved here! lovely big garden but it has, ground elder, marestail and bindweed!
I veiwed it in March and none of these pesky little b****ers were showing themselves then!
Yet another thing to consider when moving, i wonder if they'll have a section in the HIPS for problem weeds!!!!