Weedipedia

Giant Hogweed - Heracleum mantegazzianum

Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a close relative of cow parsley originally from Southern Russia and Georgia. It can reach over 3m (10ft) in height. Although this striking plant can be attractive in certain situations, most gardeners will want to eradicate it, as it is potentially invasive and the sap can...

Daisy - Bellis perennis

Possibly one of the most recognisable of weeds with its white flowers with yellow centres, daisies are most commonly found in lawns but can also seed themselves in flower beds and driveways. The daisy is a perennial weed which spreads into large mats....

Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale

A familiar face in most gardens where allowed, this perennial spreads around its parent plant by its tap root or it can spread far and wide by its floating seeds, from the dandelion “clock”. Its incredibly hard to eradicate as any tiny piece of root that is left will grow...

Stinging Nettle - Urtica dioica

Stinging nettles usually grow between two to four feet high and bloom from June to September. The stinging nettle contains a number of chemicals, such as serotonin, histamine and acetylcholine, some of which can be very irritating. These chemicals cause the stinging irritation on skin and are found at the...

Dock - Rumex

A common sight, the dock is recognisable by it’s wide leaves with prominent mid-rib. Strings of green flowers turn into brown seed-pods. The dock has a long tap root which all must be removed to eradicate. Beware rotovating where there are docks as each shredded piece will re-grow into a...

Ordinary Moss, Feather Moss - Brachythecium rutabulum

Of all the lawn related weeds, Ordinary Moss is arguably the most common. Every year moss is treated only for it to return again the following year. It is possible to change your lawn conditions to help keep moss at bay but you may still find some will return and...

Blackberry - Rubus fructicosus

Known as the bramble in Scotland, the blackberry is often unwelcome in your garden due to its horrible jaggy stems. Don’t let it take hold – it will send up multiple shoots which root at the tips. There is a deep, tough woody root. You may want to keep some...

Goose Grass, Sticky Willy - Gallium aparine

Often remembered from childhood, goose grass or sticky willy has clinging hairs on its leaves, stem and seeds which stick to your clothes. It’s an annual and easy removed but also easily spreads with its self sown seedlings. Can grow up to 4ft high. Sticky Willy can grow rapidly during warm weather....

White Clover - Trifolium repens

A common sight (unless you are looking for the four leaved variety!), clover is a low growing weed which has runners which stretch across the surface of the lawn and can quickly choke the grass. Clover prefers damp, nutrient rich soil. Each plant has the iconic three leaves and white/pink flowers...

Creeping Buttercup - Ranunculus repens

Creeping buttercup is a common perennial weed with low-lying foliage that forms mats. Its instantly recognisable glossy yellow flowers appear from May to September. Creeping buttercup prefers damp conditions but will grow nearly anywhere in the garden, from beds and borders to lawns without much of a care. Although you...

Larger Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed - Calystegia sepium

Bindweed is a notorious, perennial weed which no gardener wants to find in their garden as its so hard to get rid of. It forms strings of heart shaped leaves on twining stems which climb over fences and hedges. It is most often seen as a hedgerow plant or weed,...

Horse or Mares Tail - Equisetum Arvense

One of the most dreaded of weeds, Mares Tail can spread like wildfire so if you see it, deal with it immediately. In Spring brown roots appear with cones and in summer its leaves or “tails” appear. It is an invasive, deep-rooted perennial weed that will spread quickly to form...

Creeping Thistle - Cirsium arvense

There are many varieties of thistle which you may find in your garden. The creeping thistle is a voracious weed which will take over if allowed. Be sure to dig it out as it appears but watch out for the sharp stems. Try and avoid breaking the root as a...

Chickweed - Stellaria media

Chickweed is one of the most common of weeds with the most delicate tiny white star-shaped flowers hence its Latin name, Stellaria media. Stems have a thin line of white hair that grows in a weave-like pattern. Chickweed can grow from 5 to 50 cm. tall....

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Welcome to Weedipedia...

At Vialii, we are strong proponents of organic gardening and try to avoid weedkiller if we can. To many people, weeds are wonderful things, whether they are grown as pretty wildflowers or for their health benefits. But we understand they can be frustrating in gardens so our Weedipedia pages detail our most common weeds, how to identify & get rid of them but also their benefits too. If you need help getting rid of your own weeds please get in touch.

Common Weeds

Goose Grass, Sticky Willy

Often remembered from childhood, goose grass or sticky willy has clinging hairs on its leaves, stem and seeds which stick...

Horse or Mares Tail

One of the most dreaded of weeds, Mares Tail can spread like wildfire so if you see it, deal with...

Larger Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed

Bindweed is a notorious, perennial weed which no gardener wants to find in their garden as its so hard to...

Chickweed

Chickweed is one of the most common of weeds with the most delicate tiny white star-shaped flowers hence its Latin...

Creeping Buttercup

Creeping buttercup is a common perennial weed with low-lying foliage that forms mats. Its instantly recognisable glossy yellow flowers appear...