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… and Jon Snow is chopping up Japanese knotweed instead of white walkers: “NO, JON, NO! You’ll cause cross contamination!” OK… so the series hasn’t gone quite that far downhill (yet). Anyway, now the appalling reference is out of the way, onto the smooth segue – because it’s actually nearly winter, and the Japanese knotweed
More often than not, Invasive Weed Solutions Ltd (IWSL) are contacted when an invasive species problem has been exacerbated by interference from another ‘specialist’ contractor. Several months ago, IWSL were contacted by property owner X; for the purpose of this blog, I’ll refer to him as Mr Smith. Mr Smith instructed IWSL to undertake a
As the above suggests, Horsetail has actually been around on planet Earth for quite some time. It is a derivative of larger plants that grew some 270 million years ago, during the carboniferous period, and is a relative of the fern. As planet Earth is getting more populated, more developed, there is becoming an ever
Timing is everything, especially when dealing with invasive species. The key to successfully chemically treating Himalayan balsam and Giant hogweed is applying herbicide at the right time. Application needs to be when the plants are young and before they flower and begin to form seed. Chemical application should be made early in the growing season
Lagarosiphon major – Curly Waterweed Other common name: Curly water thyme Family: Hydrocharitaceae Genus: Lagarosiphon are semi-evergreen, submerged aquatic perennials forming a cluster of branched stems clothed in spirally arranged, linear-lanceolate leaves, and tiny white or pink flowers in summer. Details: All plants in GB are female; all dispersal must therefore be by vegetative means and is
Oxalis acetosella – Wood sorrel Other common name: Alleluia Family: Oxalidaceae Genus: It is a rhizomatous plant from the genus Oxalis, common in most of Europe and parts of Asia. Details: The plant has trifoliate compound leaves, the leaflets heart-shaped and folded through the middle, that occur in groups of three. It flowers from spring to midsummer. During the night or when it
Allium paradoxum – Few-Flowered Leek Other common name: Few-flowered garlic Family: Amaryllidaceae This small bulb is a popular garden plant but in the wild it’s most common in deciduous woodlands and along hedgerows and river banks. This species is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act in England and Wales. Details: It forms very
Carpobrotus edulis – Hottontot Fig Other common name: Ice plant and in South Africa as the sour fig, on account of its edible fruit. Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Carpobrotus, another species that’s very popular as an ornamental garden plant. This one is quite easy to distinguish with its 3-angled succulent leaves and large yellow flowers that
Family: Polygonaceae Genus: It is a giant, erect perennial herb which forms dense thickets. Stems grow 4-5 m in a single season and bear large, alternate leaves up to 40cm long with heart-shaped bases. In summer plants bear dense panicles of small green-white flowers and seed is sometimes produced. It hybridises with Japanese Knotweed to give
Senecio jacobaea– Common Ragwort Other common name: Stinking willie Family: Asteraceae Genus: Jacobaea is not usually a significant problem in gardens, but its poisonous qualities can make it a serious weed of paddocks and gardens backing onto fields grazed by horses or cattle. Details: Ragwort is a tall erect plant to 90cm, bearing large flat-topped clusters of yellow daisy-like flowers
