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Weed Taking Over My Garden

8 years ago

This weed is taking over my garden and beginning to spread to the lawn. It almost looks like mint but doesn't smell even after breaking the leaves. Does anyone know what it is and how to control/kill it without killing the other plants, flowers, and grass?

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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

8 years ago

Where are you located and can you post a more close up photo of an individual leaf cluster? It's rather hard to see clearly at this point but looks suspiciously like bishop's weed/goutweed, Aegopodium podagraria.

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Comments (6)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
Aegopodium podagraria I'd say, too.
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donna_in_sask
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I had the variegated version and it took six years to get rid of it...I've heard the solid green one is even more tenacious. Good luck. Every little piece of root can sprout a new plant.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
If you're feeling vengeful, and very hungry, it is edible.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
8 years ago
How big of a garden spot is this? It looks like it would be easier and much quicker to pull up the "good plants" and smother the whole spot for a year. Then uncover a small test spot & check to make sure it's well & truly dead before putting it back into use.

Smothering won't work if not done thoroughly, heavy corrugated cardboard with seams overlapping at least 6", no holes in it, covered with at least 4" of heavy organic matter holding it down and completely blocking the light, and for sure covering all of the plant/roots. I think I would use 2 layers of it for this plant, one I couldn't kill when I tried getting rid of the top 6" of soil in a garden about 20 yrs ago. I've never had smothering not kill anything but this particular plant gives me the heebie jeebies. Good luck with whatever you attempt!
Carolina Girl (Zone 8b)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Ugh...I have that in a spot in my yard too. I try my best to dig deep and get as much as i can to pull up. The runner roots go very deep and they usually break when I try to pull it out. I have even sprayed it with round up. It drinks that stuff up and comes back to laugh at me. And yes, any piece you miss or pieces you drop will sprout into more weed from hell.

good luck!

ps...if anyone has a solution to kill this stuff, I'm all ears.

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