Weeds and Pests

A large part of our studies in soft landscape specification is the identification and eradication of weeds and pests, a large part of gardening. I am doing research into common weeds and pests and will periodically share what I discover about eradication organically and with chemicals.

Pic from the the wild flower society 

Bind Weed (Calystegia Sepium)
Also Known as Bellbind


Commonly found:


Bind Weed is a common sight and can be found anywhere from herbacious borders, in shrubs, hedgerows and some verieties can be found in long grass or even on bare soil. They use shoots, branches and canes as support, wrapping themselves around any available limb. Although not unattractive, with their heart shaped leaves and trumpet shaped white or pink flowers, they smother and stifle the growth of the plant that supports them - a problem when this is a treasured border!


Hard to get shot of, Bind Weed has long underground roots that grow rapidly, and is capable of growing from a tiny amount of root, which can live underground for years in some cases

Organic Eradication

It is hard to rid yourself of Bind Weed organically as it is persistent, hardy and long living. Your options are limited to:

• Good old digging, hoeing and pulling up all root - removing as much root as you can physically see whist digging over in late autumn can eradicate this weed, but expect it to take a number of years.
• If you think the weed is coming from a neighboring garden or field it may be necessary to sink a physical barrier into the soil

Chemical Eradication

This is the option most commonly used by gardeners and horticulturalists as it is a much quicker solution, and lessons the chance of regrowth next season:

• Residual Chemicals "stick" onto a surface and can be used around once every season. They are suitable to use on the soil itself if no plant is intended to be grown soon after. They can also be used on the base of trees and shrubs, although many gardeners report of "weaker growth" and a "sickening" of plants when the chemical is used in this way
•  Systemic Chemicals are applied directly to the foliage, is absorbed and transported through the plant to the roots. This can be hard to do accurately when the weed has wrapped itself around a "wanted" plant, but can be untangled and spray or pained onto the leaf using a brush

Cultivated Verities

It is worth noting that there are cultivated verities of this common weed that are annual plants. The are admired for their heart shaped leaves and vivid white flower