Top 3 Weeds that MUST be Stopped in their Tracks!
Summer in the UK is always a bit of a mixed bag, with days of lovely sunshine followed by just as many days of persistent rain. Though most of us could well do without the wet part, this combination is absolutely ideal for plants. Unfortunately, some plants are less welcome than others: yes, it's time to talk about weeds!
Weeds are the bane of any gardeners life but the majority of them are nothing more than a nuisance. Some, however, can have extremely serious impacts, causing damage to properties and reducing their value. For this edition of the Greengates Builders Merchant blog, we'll be focusing on three types of these latter weeds.
Himalayan Balsam
Native to the Himalayan mountain chain that spans Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan and India, Himalayan balsam has extended its reach around the globe, reaching the UK as early as 1839. Though it has been on our shores for close to two centuries, the weed is appearing in UK gardens with increasing frequency. Noted for its rapid growth, Himalayan balsam can grow to a towering three metres in height.
One of the reasons for the recent surge in Himalayan balsam is its beautiful pink flowers, fooling many gardeners into allowing the weed to flourish. Each plant can spread as many as 800 seeds which take root rapidly, using up all available nutrients, water and light and causing other plants to die in the process. The resulting reduction in biodiversity is becoming an ever-more concerning problem.
Ivy
The sight of a building covered with climbing ivy is charming and quintessentially British. What is less well known is that it can have serious, lasting negative impacts on the structure of such buildings. As it grows upwards, clinging to masonry walls, it is easily able to penetrate through mortar, affecting its integrity and causing cracks and holes. These allow water to get into the property, causing leaks and damp issues that can result in expensive, intrusive and time-consuming repairs.
Japanese Knotweed
The shoots of Japanese knotweed resemble bamboo and boast the same speedy growth, quickly attaining heights of three or more metres. Getting rid of a Japanese knotweed infestation is notoriously difficult as even the tiniest pieces of the plant can rapidly develop into new ones.
The real problem of Japanese knotweed is its root system, which can spread for an astonishing 20 metres below ground. As the system grows, the strong and robust roots can damage drains and pipework, as well as the very foundations of the building itself. Japanese knotweed is thus classed as a property defect by RICS Homebuyer Reports and can reduce property values by as much as 15%.
At Greengates Builders Merchant Accrington, our landscaping product portfolio includes a superb selection of weed control products including weedkiller and geotextiles. Please browse our website for further details and look forward to a weed-free garden!