Charlie Pridham wrote:
In article ,
says...
I am new to the UK from the US and haved moved into a wonderful
cottage with a rather extensive but overgrown garden. There is
something(I can only assume that it is a weed) that has taken over
virtually every inch of the beds, but after scouring the internet, I
have been unable to identify it. Can anyone help? I would also
appreciate any advice on eradicating it. I would like to clear my
beds and plant, but would hate for it to take over again, as it
looks like it is quite aggressive. Any help would be great!
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Malisobel
That looks like one of the comphreys, probably symphitum ibericum
Looks more like Symphytum orientale, according to my Illustrated Flora of
Britain. That says S. ibiricum is short to medium (rarely more than 20 cm
tall) and the flowers are pale yellow, whereas S. orientale is medium to
tall, and the flowers are white.
Can it be used to make liquid fertiliser, like Common Comfrey?
As it appears to be a biennial or short-lived perennial without creeping
rhizomes, just removing the flowers (and so stopping self-seeding), should
be enough to eliminate it in a year or two. If you can't wait, then
glyphosate will deal with it. But as you've just moved in, why not wait to
see what else is under the comfrey before spraying it? There might be
something rather interesting which wouldn't appreciate glyphosate.
--
Jeff
(cut "thetape" to reply)