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Will anything outgrow ground elder???

(31 Posts)
teabagwoman Fri 13-Jan-23 07:21:36

I like the idea of attacking it with a flame thrower Daisymae. However I think I’d be safer trying the Mexican marigold or geraniums as my sight isn’t good and I have visions of fire engines racing to the rescue.

LisaAN Thu 12-Jan-23 23:21:58

Apparently ground elder is edible and quite nice tasting. I have not tried it yet though as I can never find any. I’m probably not foraging in the right places.

J52 Thu 12-Jan-23 23:09:46

I have the same problem with neighbours ground elder and find that Crainsbill geraniums have kept it at bay bay.

Daisymae Thu 12-Jan-23 22:38:57

I didn't know that anything would outgrow ground elder. The only sure way is to dig it out, but that's not without its challenges. I would be inclined to apply a weed killer. One that's targeted and be vigilant for the next few years. My neighbours have a flame thrower for the weeds, I guess that is chemical free. I have actually got a variegated elder it's not so vigorous as the usual kind. The extreme temperatures last summer have all but done for it.

Casdon Thu 12-Jan-23 20:58:43

You could try Mexican marigold, my SIL used it to kill ground elder in one of her borders, apparently it releases a chemical that’s toxic to ground elder. I’ve never tried it myself, but it did work.

teabagwoman Thu 12-Jan-23 20:35:51

I have a west facing border containing a few young shrubs and a mass of ground elder. I’d like to plant some perennials to fill in the gaps between the shrubs but will anything outgrow the ground elder which is coming through from next door. The soil is neutral, very heavy clay and is full of stones. I suspect there are also pockets of concrete/rubble buried underneath. It depresses me every time I look at it, can any of you wonderful gardeners help me?