On 01/06/2012 19:27, mat0120 wrote:
Hi

For the last couple of years in the rockery there has been a strange
growth on the soil. I get rid of it but it doesn't take too long to
come back. The soil doesn't get too much direct sunlight which I think
is partly the problem. Does anyone:

a) Know what it is
b) Know how to get rid of it?! There are a number of established plants
already growing so it would need to be without harming these.

Any advice gratefully received. Thanks in advice

Matt


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As others have pointed out it's a liverwort. They aren't harmful, but
do form a very dense hard mat - particularly in damp, shady conditions.
The main problem is that if the mat is complete, then self-seeding of
any of the rockery plants will not take place as the seeds will not be
able to get through the mat. Also, it is quite possible that the mat
will prevent shoots pushing up from underneath.

Finally, although it's a bit theoretical, the fact that it is growing on
a rockery isn't good. In general, rockeries are meant to be
free-draining, and the presence of liverworts suggests it isn't. Some
alpines grown in rockeries do not like to have damp around the stem as
it can cause collar rot. Liverworts pushing right up to such a plant
might encourage it, so at the very least try to clear them away from
direct contact with the plant.

--

Jeff