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Characterised by apple-green, lobed leaves and flat heads of cream-white flowers in summer, ground elder spreads rapidly. What makes it even more difficult to eradicate is it can creep between cultivated plants. It creates large clumps of foliage

and colours are availableTreat emerging shoots of perennial weeds like ground elder with glyphosate-based weedkillerRepot succulents that have overgrown their containers

grass, ground elder, bindweed and other problem weedsPlace plant supports over clumps of tall-growing perennials such as lupins and delphiniums

Prune out old stems of elder (Sambucus) to promote new growth from the baseCut back last year's buddleia stems to ground levelHard prune trees that respond to pollarding, such as willows, the foxglove tree (Paulownia) and Eucalyptus gunnii

, and dig deeply to sieve out roots of perennial weeds, such as bindweed, ground elder and couch grass Improve compacted soil by mixing in extra compost. Take care not to walk on or dig up spring bulbsTake root cuttings from phlox and oriental poppiesPot up

Fat hen, Chenopodium album, is an annual weed loved by butterflies, and whose young leaves are delicious in salads or cooked like spinach. However, it will also quickly colonise open ground and spread through your garden if left unchecked - a single

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

already started to grow around other plants, untwine it, lay it on bare ground and then spray it. Avoid using the weedkiller on a windy day and near desirable plants. all over the gardenearly spring to autumnMore advice on removing weedsGround elder

cultivated ground, compost in pots, paving, walls, vegetable plotsall year roundMore advice on removing weedsPineapple weedCleaversDandelionGround elder

perennials such as couch grass or ground elder.Cover your bin with carpet to keep it warm and to help speed up the composting process.Improving the quality of your soilVideo guide on making compost, with Chris BeardshawImproving your soil with green manure