Willowherb

Symptoms

Willowherb will take over any domestic garden, spreading by seed and tough underground roots to form dense clumps.

Find it on: all over the garden

Time to act: early spring to autumn

Problem categories

Overview

Willowherb, or fireweed, Chamerion angustifolium, is a pretty plant that looks at home in a wild garden, but will take over any domestic garden, spreading by seed and tough underground roots. Left unchecked, it will invade the space of other plants and restrict their growth.

Solution

Willowherb will take over any domestic garden, spreading by seed and tough underground roots to form dense clumps.

Organic

Keep digging the plants out. Willowherb can be forked out fairly easily - especially when the soil is loosened after rain - and will not survive repeated cutting or pulling.

Chemical

Use a weedkiller such as glyphosate. Spray directly onto the plant and avoid spraying on a windy day and near other desirable plants.