Please help me identify this weed

Hello everyone

Hope you don't mind a newbie jumping in with a question

I've reccently moved and am attempting to turn a small bordered garden into something of a rugged cottage garden. However, I have two pesky weeds that I'm battling.

One is a Pink Sorrel, that I know some love. I've read up on it and understand that it's almost impossible to get rid off, so I'm perhaps going to have to learn to love it.

The other I cannot identify, despite ploughing through pics on the website. I Have tried digging out all the roots and weedkiller, but it keeps sprouting up everywhere - through the borders, under bushes and between the gravel on paths. Could someone please help me identify this little blighter?:(

 

Hi Maisey and welcome to the forum.

Your plant looks like a creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens). If it is - it spreads by way of underground runners.

You can dig it out, but when you remove a single plant you must also pull up the runner, which will take you to the next plant etc. Or you can use a systemic weedkiller with Glyphosphate in it. The way Glyphosphate works is by being taken down to the roots of the plant and killing them - so Glyphosphate will run along the runners to the next plant. But of course it will only run a certain distance.

 

Many thanks Peter. It's at times like this, that I miss all the knowledge my grandparents would have had! I'm going to have to see what active ingredient my weedkiller has in it, or I'm going to end up with a buttercup field. Thank you for your help.

 

Sorry to disagree, Peter.. It's Herb Bennet, Geum urbanum

Just dig it out.. don't let it flower or set seed!

 

I am sure you are right Quercus and Marley - I clearly don't have enough weeds in my garden to be as knowledgeable. :D

 

i believe it's the creeping buttercup, herb bennet has leaves which are more elongated and pointed

 

I have yet to see any flowers on it, and it is still spreading like mad. Thank you everyone for your responses. I will persevere with the weeding and spraying.

Thank you for the friendly welcome