The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Identification => Topic started by: JackandJill on July 12, 2017, 01:42:00 pm

Title: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: JackandJill on July 12, 2017, 01:42:00 pm

Hi

this is growing and is a large clump of septa plants about 5sqm in our veg garden, i've left it alone since we moved in but thinking its time to do something about it.  Seems to be growing in leaf litter or grass dumping fro prior owner, seems to spread easily and is a bout 75cm high.

So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it? 

thanks as always

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: Womble on July 12, 2017, 06:13:46 pm

Is it Red Bistort perhaps? (https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/125923/Persicaria-amplexicaulis-Firedance/Details)

(https://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselectorimages/detail/MAR0031591_8359.jpg)

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: JackandJill on July 12, 2017, 06:41:04 pm

thanks for this,

oddly this is what the plant next to it in my garden looks like, the leaves look a bit like a dock plant and it was going to be my next post to ask what it is!

The leaves on the one I'm trying to work out are ribbed with white & pink veins any other thoughts?

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: bj_cardiff on July 13, 2017, 07:45:44 am

Looks like himalayan balsam to me. I don't have any on the farm, but I quite like it but a lot of people consider it to be a problem though, it does spread..

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: kathiejs on July 13, 2017, 08:20:19 am

Yes, Himalayan Balsam. Highly invasive and ilkegal to grow or allow to grow in the wild - even though it is pretty!

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: Fleecewife on July 13, 2017, 10:33:23 am

Do you have a better, in focus pic of the flowers please?

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: PK on July 13, 2017, 01:34:29 pm

If the photos show the flowers are yet to open up this looks to me to be viburnum bodnatense.

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: SallyintNorth on July 13, 2017, 02:45:00 pm

My neighbour up north had a lot of Himalayan balsam.  I don't recall the leaves being ribbed like that.

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: JackandJill on July 13, 2017, 02:59:26 pm

HI everyone

BJCardiff & KathieJS, I think that could be it.

Fleecewife, I've attached some better pics of the flower.

PK & SallyintNorth, thanks for your thoughts too, I'm no gardner, so you could be right too.

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: Fleecewife on July 13, 2017, 03:19:47 pm

Thanks for the clearer pics.  I think PK is correct.

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: ddangus on July 13, 2017, 03:30:42 pm

Pretty sure this is lesser knotweed Persicaria campunalata ( Synonym Polygonum campunalata). A relatively common Persicaria related to bistort and sometimes mistaken for Japanese knotweed. Himalayan balsam has very different shaped flowers a bit like fancy slippers and these are followed by seedpods that explode on touching.

DD

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: JackandJill on July 15, 2017, 08:05:12 pm

thank you everyone for your thoughts on identification, this has really helped, think I need to clear it all back as it is dominating the space right now!

Title: Re: So what is it and should I keep it, cut it or spray it?
Post by: arobwk on July 20, 2017, 04:58:10 pm

I'm on thin ice here (as some will know), but I'll go with ddangus' identification.