Bindweed

[mrs fish]

I would like to know if any steps are ever taken to control/destroy the plant ?
I ask because my local nature reserve is being taken over by it

It is starting to kill other plants, I have rescued the one and only Hemp Agrimony of the reserve and to-day I found the second Water Figwort and that was almost strangled !!

Should it be managed and should I tell the SWT about it ?

[rscott74]

I'm no expert but I doubt if Bindweed can be removed from a fragile location. From my limited garden knowledge I know that every trace of root has to be removed and that is unlikely to be achieved in one year even when one can dig at will. I don't know what could be done without great disturbance to the surrounding vegetation.

It's a great shame that it is strangling rare plants in your locality.

[Paul mabbott]

Are we talking bindweed Convolvulus and related species? This is a perfectly reasonable native plant which does not over-run semi-natural areas. They are also not particularly attracted to moist areas. ...... Or are we thinking of knotweeds - Fallopia (formerly Polygonum) spp? If the latter then there are several lengthy threads.

Originally Posted by mrs fish

I would like to know if any steps are ever taken to control/destroy the plant ?
I ask because my local nature reserve is being taken over by it

It is starting to kill other plants, I have rescued the one and only Hemp Agrimony of the reserve and to-day I found the second Water Figwort and that was almost strangled !!

Should it be managed and should I tell the SWT about it ?

[mrs fish]

I believe it to be Hedge Bindweed, I will take some pics soon.

[rscott74]

I think we are talking about Bindweed which if it occurs in an area is difficult to eradicatel. I've noticed that it is active around Hetton Bogs, a faily damp area, and if it strangles some Himalayan Balsam that's to be welcomed.
I still think it would be hard to control in the circumstances outlined by Mrs Fish.
I believe we sometimes need to be philosophical and accept that nature may choose a course not to our liking and we should leave it, with regret, at that.

[ron1863]

I think it is the one with the lovely trumpet like flowers that grows through hedges. It's only a weed if it's not wanted.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by ron1863

I think it is the one with the lovely trumpet like flowers that grows through hedges. It's only a weed if it's not wanted.

Quite so. Bindweeds do, obviously, crawl around other plants but they don't "strangle" them. They are a problem in gardens/fields because their roots will compete for food with crops but I have never seen them causing a problem in a (semi-)natural habitat.

[JennyS]

Are we talking bindweed Convolvulus and related species? This is a perfectly reasonable native plant which does not over-run semi-natural areas. They are also not particularly attracted to moist areas.

I have never seen them causing a problem in a (semi-)natural habitat.

Aaaarghhhh.....!
Field Bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis prefers dryish ground and isn't too much of a problem.....

Hedge Bindweed, Calystegia sepium, and Large Bindweed, Calystegia silvatica are a completely different story!
And they can cause problems and plant damage - the sheer weight of a whole mass of them will break young trees and other plants, quite apart from shading out all the light. Short of chemical annihilation they are pretty impossible to get rid of.

They can be a problem in semi-natural habitats as well as gardens!

[mrs fish]

My main worry is the Water Voles as it is now down to the waters edge.

I will get some pics to-day if it is not raining.

[GerryNick2]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

I would like to know if any steps are ever taken to control/destroy the plant ?
I ask because my local nature reserve is being taken over by it

It is starting to kill other plants, I have rescued the one and only Hemp Agrimony of the reserve and to-day I found the second Water Figwort and that was almost strangled !!

Should it be managed and should I tell the SWT about it ?

I would have thought it impossible to eradicate bindweed in this situation. I have spent the last five years trying to rid a flower bed of bindweed. Digging to a depth of 2 feet and regular applications of Glyphosate only seem to slow down the growth for a short period of time before it comes back with a vengance. If anyone has a sure fire way of getting rid of bindweed I would love to hear from them.

Gerry

[mantajohn9]

I've got this stuff in my gardern that has the same sort of creeping strangling type of thing but has small orange flowers. I'm loath to get rid of it if it is not going to cause problems to the other plants. Will try and get a pic. If it stops raining today

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by mantajohn9

I've got this stuff in my gardern that has the same sort of creeping strangling type of thing but has small orange flowers. I'm loath to get rid of it if it is not going to cause problems to the other plants. Will try and get a pic. If it stops raining today

Have you got a photo of this plant as its ID is intriguing me, as it's clearly not a bindweed with orange flowers?

[RobinP]

How about Impatiens Capensis - Orange Balsam?

[mantajohn9]

Originally Posted by RobinP

How about Impatiens Capensis - Orange Balsam?

Had a look in the gallery it's not that. Have been at work a lot last few days will get out an try and take a pic over the weekend.

[mrs fish]

I have got a couple of pics at last to show you what I mean about the Bindweed invasion, not very good quality as my camera is on its last legs, it only likes taking macros

This is taken from where it starts and goes beyond the trees in the distance


This is taken from the other side of those trees showing the ditch where it has grown to




Could anyone tell me is it here now to stay and that is the end of all the other plants on the reserve or will it eventually disappear ?

The bad thing about it growing up to the ditch is the Water Voles , they like some clear areas to live near.

[rscott74]

It looks like hedge bindweed which will never disappear. As a native and widespread plant I wonder if you might be over concerned about its effect on wildlife. While it is a menace in a well tended garden it forms part of the natural and balanced habitat elsewhere.

[mrs fish]

My main concern is the Water Voles, the plant is taking over their residence and food

[rscott74]

I can understand your concern. I've tried looking at sites by searching on 'Water Voles and bindweed' and found nothing definite but none suggested that bindweed was harmful. Perhaps your initial suggestion to contact SWT (the site managers I assume) would be the best course of action. Let us know how you get on.