Replace Poke Weed with Hydrangea

12 years ago

At my relative's yard, there is a border that faces south and borders on neighbor's yard. Currently, there is a large poke weed there.

I like to remove the poke weed and replace it with a hydrangea (probably annabelle).

1. How do I remove the poke weed safely? I could spray it with roundup, but then I worry the overspray will kill the neighbor's plants.

I was thinking perhaps I can snip off the poke weed, then spray some roundup on paper towel and then wrap them around the cutted stem and tied them down with sarah wrap. The idea is to get the plant to absorb the round up.

Alternatively, I can burn the stems, but I don't know if that will kill the poke weed.

2. Can I actually plant hydrangea at this location?

Paul

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Comments (5)

echinaceamaniac
12 years ago
I would pull it up. They are easy to pull up. If you're not able to pull it up, dig it up and use the hole to plant in.
rusty_blackhaw
12 years ago
You do realize that the pokeweed is doing a great job of screening the neighbor's property and you'll lose that with a hydrangea? :)

As previously mentioned, poke is easy to dig up; the only toxicity you should need to worry about is if you eat it.*

*young poke leaves are considered edible in spring if cooked properly.
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Have you actually checked soil moisture by sticking your finger down in the soil a few inches? You might have voles or other critters that have tunneled under the plants so the water runs away down the tunnels. To me it looks most like a water issue. However, is there a chance of weed and feed or other herbicide coming in contact with these plants, perhaps even from the other side of the fence? Did you use landscape fabric or plastic under the mulch? That can interfere with water movement in the soil.
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NHBabs z4b-5a NH
12 years ago
They have a large, carrot-like, root, often forked. If you have a dandelion digger to help you may be able to dig it out relatively easily. I don't find it easy to just pull, but that probably depends on your soil type and the age of the plant.

Roundup dribbled directly on the root should kill it if you don't pull the root.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
the roots is more like horse radish.. IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL OUT.. and to dig out.. check out the link

and if any piece is left in the ground.. IT WILL BE BACK ... not unlike godzilla ...

i use 41% straight round up generic ... and i simply put it in a mustard bottle.. and drip it from a leaf.. and let it run down the plant ... gravity rules ... an eyedropper would work.. something that will allow you to drop DROPS ... maybe you will need a quarter teaspoon ... weed and brush killer would probably also work ...

in my heat and drought.. it too a week for a 5 footer to eventually collapse.. but i am pretty sure the root from hell will not return .... [plants go dormant to some extent in heat and drought.. so it takes longer for a systemic to take effect]

i am sorry .... but this is one nightmare that requires the hardcore stuff ... not a hope and a wish and some organic remedy .. unless you are willing to dig a 2 to 3 foot hole to dig it out ... and i will bet it will still come back ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
peaceofmind
12 years ago
Echinaceamanic, you must amazing soil if you can pull up a poke weed of this size. On my property it would be like pulling up a tree.

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Replace Poke Weed with Hydrangea

Comments (5)

echinaceamaniac

rusty_blackhaw

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NHBabs z4b-5a NH

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

peaceofmind

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