Japanese knotweed's silent invasion: What gardeners need to know

Japanese knotweed is one of those plants that doesn't have many requirements regarding the place where it grows. That's why it often appears in gardens or parks, but not everyone is happy about it. Can we effectively get rid of it? Let's find out.

Hardly any weather conditions can stop it. That's why it quickly grows to enormous sizes, reaching up to 4 metres in height.

Japanese knotweed is recognized for its numerous broad oval leaves. At the end of August and in September, white flowers, which emit a delicate fragrance, are visible on it.

This plant may seem like a perfect decoration for our garden. After all, it not only looks beautiful but also captivates many people with its fragrance. However, not everyone knows that it can wreak havoc underground.

Its rhizomes and runners can spread up to 20 metres in radius. This, in turn, affects the root system of other plants in its vicinity, which is why it has been listed as an invasive alien species.

Removing Japanese knotweed from the garden is almost a miracle. Despite the effort and work put into removing the plant, it often does not bring the expected results. Of course, you can use special chemical agents, but they may also affect other flowers growing on our property. However, a simple solution can help us deal with the problem.

As soon as we spot young shoots of the plant in the garden, we need to act immediately. First, we need to cut its shoots to weaken them a bit. Then, in the place where it appeared, we needed to spread a black nursery mat. After a few months, Japanese knotweed will not only be unable to grow freely, but the high temperature created by the heated foil will also eventually cause the plant to start to rot.