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, short-lived plants, which can produce many generations in a single season by setting large amounts of seed. Pull out young plants individually by hand or hoe off young seedlings and remove them from the soil surface before they get a chance to set seed

of root left behind, these will become weaker and easier to remove each time you dig them out. Use a total weedkiller, such as glyphosate, on this weed, as it'll kill the plant without leaving a residue in the soil. Avoid spraying on a windy day and near

The culprit is Trionymus diminutus, a 4mm sap-feeding mealybug that breeds relentlessly when the weather is warm and isn't killed by winter frosts. It deposits a white, waxy substance at the base of the sheathed phormium leaves. A mild infestation is not a problem, but in excess ...

A viral infection, for which, sadly, there is no cure. Some cannas seem able to shrug it off, but it has the potential to spread quickly from plant to plant, so it's best to remove and dispose of affected individuals at the first sign of trouble. It

surrounding gardens, fields and waste-ground.Clump of leaves growing from a single or multiple point. Leaves and flower stalks ooze a milky substance when snapped. Bright yellow-orange flowers are followed by a fluffy seedhead or dandelion 'clock'.Remove

of compost or mulch. Try to remove plants before they flower and seed to slow its spread. Use a total weedkiller, such as glyphosate. Avoid spraying on a windy day and near other desirable plants. all over the gardenlate-spring to autumnMore advice

root using a knife or spike-like daisy grubber. Also, make sure you remove the flower spikes before they get a chance to produce seed.In paving or flowerbeds, apply a systemic weedkiller to the foliage of greater plantains. In lawns, use a selective

seedlings as they appear, or smother them with a good layer of compost or mulch. Try to remove plants before they flower and seed to slow its spread. Use a total weedkiller, such as glyphosate. Avoid spraying on a windy day and near other desirable plants

in no time. The best organic control is digging the plant out and trimming it to keep it in check if you don't want to remove it altogether. If it spreads onto the lawn it can be controlled by mowing. If you don't want to dig it out, you can spot

, the productivity of the tree isn't usually affected.Miniscule gall mites live in the foliage of pear trees. In spring, they secrete chemicals that cause blotches to appear on new foliage. These eventually turn black and the leaf dies, usually in late summer. Remove