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Jacob's Ladder - a lovely plant or a pernicious weed?

West Somerset, England

Please can anybody tell me how to get rid of what we in the UK call 'Jacob's Ladder' What do you call it over the pond? - it is growing amongst ornamental grasses and other lovely plants.




Answers

 

Vicia vilosa. Yes it is like a spreading disease :))

22 Jun, 2008

 

Yet seen a variegated variety for sale in garden centres.There again seen them sell variegated ground elder !
Should be a criminal offence.

22 Jun, 2008

 

How do I get rid? At the moment I balance precariously on the ege of the stream and PULL the strands out!

22 Jun, 2008

 

Well Spritz you dont want to risk chemicals in your stream.Have you seen those weed wizards that are gas burners on extended poles.?You briefly burn each plant to fry it and should save you reaching down.

22 Jun, 2008

 

Spritzhenry, sorry I can't tell you how to get rid of it - but I do see a similarity between it and what we call Jacob's Ladder...though I believe you're right....Polemonium sounds like what I have.

Thanks for responding. Hope you find answers to YOUR Jacob's Ladder.

23 Jun, 2008

 

Isn't this Hairy Vetch?

23 Jun, 2008

 

I think it might be a member of the Vetch family - that sounds familiar!

23 Jun, 2008

 

I know for sure it is, because we have almost everywhere. It should be dig out or just pull with hand with roots. Or I have used herbicide, but only where I could do that.And it helped

23 Jun, 2008

 

Looks like I shall be balanced on the bank pulling at the wretched stuff! Can't use weedkiller as it is growing in amongst beautiful grasses etc.

23 Jun, 2008

 

I've always called Jacobs Ladder on Polemonium. This plant you have here is a type of vetch. I've never heard it called Jacobs Ladder, but perhaps it is in Somerset. I don't know how to get rid of it though, sorry.

23 Jun, 2008

 

It was 'Jacob's Ladder' in Kent, too! Unfortunately, it's NOT in moderation, Buzzbee - and just to make matters worse, this year a different (but similar) variety has also appeared!! Beautiful flowers but definitely in the wrong place...the two of them would completely take the area over if I left them. Maybe I should do just that and have a 'Jacob's Ladder' feature? LOL

24 Jun, 2008

How do I say thanks?

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