I know what you’re thinking, not another knotweed!! Unfortunately, there is indeed another variety of knotweed to add to the troublesome knotweed collection.
Chinese knotweed (Persicaria chinensis) looks very similar to its close relative, the Japanese knotweed and I’m sorry to say, also harbors invasive characteristics. Chinese knotweed is a highly invasive plant that quickly smothers other plants and trees, disrupting the local ecosystem and damaging land and property. That sounds a lot like Japanese knotweed, doesn’t it!
In its native country, Chinese knotweed is a valuable medicinal plant. It has been used for thousands of years to remedy everything from constipation to sleep problems. Chinese knotweed also has external healing properties, successfully treating open wounds and other skin conditions. In China, this plant is treasured and admired. But here in the UK, landowners break out in a cold sweat if they spot the dreaded heart-shaped leaves and thick woody stems encroaching on their property…
Let’s take a more detailed look at Chinese knotweed and find the answer to everyone’s burning question – how can I get rid of Chinese knotweed?
The Knotweed Specialists have a wealth of experience removing Chinese knotweed from land and property nationwide. We are expert knotweed removal contractors and offer a professional service, tailored to your individual needs. Don’t take risks with invasive plants; contact the professionals.
Identifying Chinese Knotweed
Chinese knotweed (He Shou We) looks a lot like Japanese knotweed, but it has one major difference – unlike Japanese knotweed, the Chinese variety produces fruit. Small, one-seeded fruits called achenes are produced after flowering from late summer to early autumn.
Chinese knotweed is a fast-growing, woody perennial, capable of reaching heights of up to ten metres in a single season. It is super resilient, able to grow almost anywhere. The plant can tolerate shade, sun, extreme temperatures, mountain slopes, forests, waterways, roadsides and wasteland. Chinese knotweed really isn’t fussy when it comes to finding a new home.
The stems of the Chinese knotweed plant are reddish brown and strong. Leaves are soft and wavy-edged, also with a reddish tinge and grow alternately up the stem. The plant flowers in late summer, producing small white/pink blooms that eventually turn to fruit. Like Japanese knotweed, it has strong underground rhizomes that spread ferociously, powering through soil and structures in its quest to increase in size.
The Knotweed Specialists are experts at removing problem plants. We can accurately identify invasive species and offer a full, insurance-backed service to treat the infestation. Reclaim your land with the Knotweed Specialists.
How To Get Rid of Chinese Knotweed
Eradicating Chinese knotweed is no easy task. This species has an epic growth rate, quickly taking over ground and structures, compromising small cracks and defects within walls and pathways. Its highly invasive rhizomes can spread from just a tiny particle left behind and it can lie dormant underground for up to twenty years before sprouting new growth. For a damaging species like this, it is best to hire an experienced contractor.
A professional knotweed removal contractor will correctly identify the species and assess the infestation. They will draw up a schedule of treatment works to eradicate, remove the waste, and dispose of it correctly. Treatment usually involves digging out and applying a glyphosate herbicide. Sometimes, ground excavation may be required, and repeated treatment is often necessary.
Contact The Knotweed Specialists if you spot ragwort growing on your grazing land. Our expert team will eradicate all traces of this toxic plant safely, working within the relevant safety guidelines. We are PCA certified, giving you complete peace of mind. Knotweed Specialists are your trusted contractor, having successfully treated Ragwort, Japanese knotweed, Giant knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Bindweed invasions nationwide.
