A concerned homeowner has taken to the internet to ask for advice on an invasive yet pretty weed that is taking over their garden.
The post, published on Reddit, received dozens of comments from people in a similar position and those wanting to offer their advice.
The weed in question is bindweed, and it doesn’t look as offensive as you may think; in fact, there’s a likely chance you may already have some in your garden, too.
In the Reddit post, the user shares a picture of their garden and states that they are at their “wits’ end” with the weed that is coming from a neighbour’s garden.
They write: “This year is particularly bad – it’s strangling and pulling down everything. I was trying to stay on top of it by yanking it whenever it popped up but it has run under the soil all over the bed.
“It’s near impossible to unravel to pull without breaking every stem and if I push through the bed to get it deeper I just end up breaking and trampling everything and the damn thing still pops back two days later.”
What is bindweed?
Bindweed is a perennial weed that can become a persistent problem in gardens, BBC Gardeners’ World states.
There are two types: hedge bindweed and field bindweed. The most familiar and problematic bindweed is hedge bindweed, which is fast-growing with slender, twining stems and large white trumpet flowers.
“It can grow to form a large mass of foliage, choking garden plants, reducing their growth or killing smaller plants entirely,” the outlet writes.
What time of year does bindweed grow?
Bindweed is typically at its height during the summer months, from June to September, meaning now is the time to keep an eye out for it taking over your garden.
New shoots begin to appear through the soil in late winter/early spring.
Alongside the green leaves, you may be able to spot the growth of the white trumpet flowers first, too.
Bindweed can spread rapidly (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Should I remove bindweed?
Gardening sites recommend regular digging and hoeing to eradicate bindweed.
It is also a pollinator for bees and butterflies, so some people are concerned about removing it entirely from their gardens.
Replying to the Reddit post, people shared their various ideas.
What people say on Reddit about removing bindweed
One person commented: “Grab a huge handful of it while it’s still in the ground then put it into a double bag that’s clear and then spray into the bag with weed killer and then close the bag around the bundle with tape.
“It’ll prevent the weed killer spraying everywhere in your garden and then it’ll die.”
Another added: “Just keep cutting it at the base when you see it. It will eventually get weaker.
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“It takes a horrendous amount of time but that’s the best way (and the RHS recommended way).”
While a third added: “Learn to embrace it, pull it out when you don’t want it, and don’t stress about it.
“Different if you’re going for the manicured rose garden look, but it just adds to the lovely natural look of your garden.”