| about two years ago my neighbor planted a wildflower she got from one of the county parks. It looks like a daisy and grows to about 15ft high. The roots have now invaded my lawn and I can't kill it. It comes back despite digging up the roots and pouring weedkiller down the hole. Some of the smaller plants have roots as thick as my baby finger and the thicker roots resemble a sweet potato. |
| I can't tell from your description what the plant might be (Jerusalem artichoke, perhaps?) but because it has tuberous roots weed killers probably won't bother it. The roots will simply store energy and send up new stalks and leaves. You can starve it out by continually cutting down any stems that develop. The problem is that the original plant is next door and you're dealing with the massive root system on your side of the property line. Aside from digging out the tubers there's not much you can do other than to dig a trench along the property line and place a barrier between the two properties. A long and narrow sheet of galvanized metal or fiberglass, similar to the panels sold for patio roof might keep the roots from invading your property. You may also want to take a sample of the stalk and flowers to your local cooperative extension office for positive identification and help with controlling this invasive weed. Here's the contact info: Ohio State University Cooperative Extension, 110 Boggs Lane, Suite 315, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-3145. Phone: (513) 946-8989 Best wishes with your project! |
