Japanese knotweed

Could also be Houttuynia Cordata, although the leaves are a bit different.

I don't want to go near it for fear it might spread. That's what I read on line.

It is JKW. I am pretty sure because in previous years it has grown up to look like the poster plant. Those photos are as it is now, taken by my agile friend. That part of my garden is inaccessible to me these days.

Don't panic .
It doesn't look like Japanese knotweed to me .
Possibly Persicaria .
It's good to be vigilant .

I really worry about my neighbour's jungle harbouring Japanese knotweed .
He bought his house 37 years ago and the garden is completely overgrown.
When the brambles destroyed their greenhouse some elderly neighbours battled to clear it .
I offered him plants and garden furniture but he refused. We were all hoping that he'd finally clear the garden .

I've just been outside and despair at the brambles growing over the top of the broken fence .
I've intensified my polite requests for him to clear it and am met with lies about having sold the house and lame excuses .
He is fitter than I am .

Some people use rewilding as an excuse for getting the garden run wild.

MaizieD

This link shows the early stages of JKW

japaneseknotweed.co.uk/early-signs-of-japanese-knotweed/

It can be eaten at this stage ...

It can be eaten at this stage...

Let us know how you get on! 😀

Is it legal to sell a house with even a small infestation of Japanese knotweed ?

Esmay

Don't panic .
It doesn't look like Japanese knotweed to me .
Possibly Persicaria .
It's good to be vigilant .

I really worry about my neighbour's jungle harbouring Japanese knotweed .
He bought his house 37 years ago and the garden is completely overgrown.
When the brambles destroyed their greenhouse some elderly neighbours battled to clear it .
I offered him plants and garden furniture but he refused. We were all hoping that he'd finally clear the garden .

I've just been outside and despair at the brambles growing over the top of the broken fence .
I've intensified my polite requests for him to clear it and am met with lies about having sold the house and lame excuses .
He is fitter than I am .

I am glad you are not my neighbour! In my view you might welcome the brambles for their fruit and flowers, and their safe haven for small animals.

Brambles are quite easy to cut back of they bother you.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-dnwrxq-arum-maculatum-2-500x500.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-2ens8u-images-3.jpeg

How tall is it and how tall did it grow previously?

We get Lords and Ladies, cuckoo pint, growing around the garden which we have to dispose of as it is poisonous. The leaves look quite similar at first.

I've got a relative of JK called Russian Vine at the end of my garden.

It's really not something I like. It grows everywhere and covers other plants.

Russian Vine is fast growing and invasive, hence it's also called Mile A Minute. It's ok if you live in a detached property in the middle of nowhere, but if you have neighbours, it's a nightmare keeping on top of it.

I actually think the JKW is a very attractive plant, and I can understand why the Victorians introduced it.

We got rid of a small patch by going out EVERY morning and cutting off ALL shoots. It took time and effort but it worked. No plant can go on growing without any leaves.

Millie22

I've got a relative of JK called Russian Vine at the end of my garden.

It's really not something I like. It grows everywhere and covers other plants.

Russian Vine can be a problem like you say. Clematis Montana does much the same job as Russian vine but is easy to control

Grammaretto

Thanks for your replies. It's true that I haven't had it surveyed and last year's home report said no JKW was noticed.
However a knowledgeable ecologist friend has identified it and knowing that I will get it professionally seen.

I am horrified that you lost £80k dalrymple

check here,

www.rhs.org.uk/weeds/japanese-knotweed

We had it grow through from the next door substation and the electrical supply people came and treated it, just once, and it was fine.

Take a photo and send it to Google Lens which will identify it for you for free.

My next door neighbour turned up on my doorstep a few years ago in a real panic telling me that I had JKW in my garden.
I knew that she was talking about runners from my lilac tree… it throws loads out every year.
She was only mollified when I used a plant identifier app to prove my point.
I hope yours also turns out to be something else OP 🤞

25Avalon

Take a photo and send it to Google Lens which will identify it for you for free.

Well, I did that with the photo in the OP and posted the results but Grammaretto doesn't think so.

It needs a botanist to identify it definitely, not someone who will say it is even if it is not in order to charge a lot of money to eradicate it.

I think it’s Japanese Knot Weed. The second pic shows it better.

I know it is, unfortunately, Shrub.
But, I have just been told by other friendly ecologists that I should cover the shoots with cardboard to suppress growth and stop worrying about it. They've also offered to scramble down the impassable bank to do the job.

It doesnt have the appearance of Japanese Knotweed, how do you know it definitely is?

Well Desdemonathe friends who have identified it are a Botanist from the Botanic gardens in Edinburgh and a professor of ecology.
Ofcourse they might be wrong but I think I believe them unfortunately.

I think you should contact your council and see if it has been reported on the river bank.
Must say it could well be JKW.
You will probably need to have it professionally treated and have a contract for several years.
This will reassure buyers that it's under control.

Caleo
Thank you very much for your comment .
Frankly I'm glad that you aren't my neighbour as well !
My parents cut back the neighbour's weeds for 20 years and I have for the last 17.
It isn't just brambles - it's marestail and it has destroyed the once nice path and has invaded every flower bed .
I have to negotiate a slope to remove his weeds and I've slipped a few times.
I've given up exhibiting my flowers as the foxes ruin them .

Esmay

Caleo
Thank you very much for your comment .
Frankly I'm glad that you aren't my neighbour as well !
My parents cut back the neighbour's weeds for 20 years and I have for the last 17.
It isn't just brambles - it's marestail and it has destroyed the once nice path and has invaded every flower bed .
I have to negotiate a slope to remove his weeds and I've slipped a few times.
I've given up exhibiting my flowers as the foxes ruin them .

There seems to be a cultural divide between people who like to leave nature to do what it does and people who believe in dominating nature.