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rampant and can grow to 2.1m in just one season, overwhelming any garden plants in its way. It doesn't colonise gardens by producing seeds, instead it sprouts from very small sections of rhizomes.Weaken the plant by cutting off the top growth every two

. all over the garden, but particularly in lawnslate-spring to autumnMore advice on removing weedsDockWillowherbMeadowgrassCouch grass

Vinca major or periwinkle is a pretty, low-growing plant often with pale blue flowers that is used as a ground cover plant because of its mat-forming properties. However, it can be very invasive, and will rapidly spread around the garden

.If the plant has pairs of buds opposite each other, make the cut straight if you want both buds to grow. Alternatively cut at an angle to remove one of the pair where a single stem is required.Cut out any old or dead wood at the base of the plant to encourage

The fungus Rhytisma acerinum overwinters on fallen acer leaves, then infects the new spring foliage. The first signs are yellow leaf spots that turn into large shiny black blotches up to 1.5cm across. Severe cases can mean the leaves drop early, but the health of the tree won't s...

Apple and pear scab is most prevalent in mild, damp seasons. The fungus overwinters on fallen leaves in the form of spores, which can be splashed by rain or carried in the wind to infect newly emerged shoots in spring. Overwintering can also occur on infected stems and branches. ...

Clematis wilt is caused by a fungus that enters the plant through a wound made by an insect or an abrasion, such as rubbing from a plant tie. It's spread by water splash, and blocks the uptake of water in the stems, causing instant collapse. Infected foliage must be disposed of i...

. In severe cases, growth becomes distorted, leaves curl up, the plant weakens and can die.Natural predators, such as birds, earwigs, ladybirds, lacewings, hoverflies, ground beetles, spiders and parasitic wasps are a gardener's best allies. Some

flower buds might never open, or do so unevenly.When disturbed, the bugs quickly drop to the ground or fly away, so you'll have to be quick if you want to catch and squish them. Remove their hiding places by keeping the area under plants free of debris

anythingearly spring, summerMore common garden pestsLeatherjackets on lawns, brassicas, strawberries and ornamental plantsElephant hawk moth on fuschia plantsWhitefly on greenhouse plantsMullein moth - affecting verbascum, buddleja and figworts.