Allotments 4 All

Hi all.  Does anyone know what this plant, growing through a Cotoneaster in the sunner border, is please?  I first noticed it about a week ago and it has now doubled in height to about 45cm.  No sign of any flowers as yet.

Thanks in advance.   :)





G x

goosegrass? wild madder? a bedstraw?

Looks like Sticky William!

Quote from: gwynnethmary on May 30, 2010, 16:11:04
Looks like Sticky William!

That's what I thought!

Thanks everyone for your help.  I think you are right an it is cleavers - which seems to go by many names.  Come to think of it I did broadcast a few wild flower seeds in that area last year (including bedstraw) so that will explain it.   :)

G x

Goosegrass. Exterminate it without mercy, as once it gets a hold it's a nightmare to deal with.

Folks used it to hold their straw beds together so I have been told. I'm sure that it would do a bloomin good job too

I'd never heard of this plant before today and I like that story, Shirl.  I think it's rather nice so I'll leave it be for the time being and see if it's beneficial.  If not the I'll take Robert's advice and pull it out - there is no room for passengers in my tiny garden.

G x

I think Ladies Bedstraw was added to Victorian straw mattresses to deter fleas and lice, if my memory serves me right...... ;)

Quote from: star on May 31, 2010, 06:08:31
I think Ladies Bedstraw was added to Victorian straw mattresses to deter fleas and lice, if my memory serves me right...... ;)

Nothing beneficial about that stuff especially in a small garden...its very invasive!

 ;D ;D...yes it is invasive..but it is annual and pulls out easily..if let to seed it comes out everywhere but luckily it is only a shallow rooted plant so easy to deal with.. ;D

Quote from: Georgie on May 30, 2010, 21:16:07
I'd never heard of this plant before today and I like that story, Shirl.  I think it's rather nice so I'll leave it be for the time being and see if it's beneficial.  If not the I'll take Robert's advice and pull it out - there is no room for passengers in my tiny garden.

G x
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Its good for nowt these days Georgie apart from sticking to every other plant in the garden and you, ;D

Oh heck, looks like it'll have to go then.  Shame, I thought I'd got a nice plant for free.   :(

G x

Another name for this is Friendship weed, 'cause it sticks to you and won't let go! Pull it out while you have the chance before it sets seed, it'll go on for yards and suffocate any border plants.  :(

And if you want fun ...not........ try spending a few hours trying to remove the seeds, which are as sticky as burdock, but a lot smaller, from the coat of your kitten. 'Cos that is one way the stuff spreads.  They will not brush out, they have to be pulled off one by one, or you leave them until they drop off around the garden of course. Hannibal used to sit and chew them off then spit (funniest thing you have ever seen is a cat spitting) them out on the rug in front of the fire.

Eric, I love your post! :)  Georgie, pull it up quick, before the sticky seeds have a chance to develop!! ;)

You didn't stick this stuff on the back of your friend's jumper as a child then. ;D

Some of us grew up in places where the only greenery was in the shops!
You could always eat the stuff by the way, it is edible, in the same way as nettles.

ive got shed loads of this stuff on the lottie just dont let it seed!!!!!!!!!!!

I took it out today - just as it was coming into flower - so it looks as though I've had a lucky escape.  Thanks for all your help.   :)

G x