5 invasive weeds

Regular removal helps you keep on top of most weeds, but take care when disposing of them. If you compost your weeds make sure you are using a hot compositing method which reaches sufficient temperature to kill seeds and roots.

Bindweed A twining weed with thick roots and white trumpet flowers. It scrambles through border plants and shrubs. Pull out stems and fork out as much root as possible every time you see it.

Horsetail It looks like little Christmas trees, but has very deep roots and can take over borders. It responds to regular pulling and even hoeing, but you have to keep at it for a long time.

Ground elder Green elder-like leaves and white flowerheads. It forms a thick mat of roots and can force out other plants. Keep pulling out the thick white roots.

Stinging nettle Tall plants with jagged-edged leaves that have stinging hairs. A good butterfly egg-laying site, but it’s best confined to a single sunny corner of the garden. Fork out its roots and wear thick gloves.

Groundsel A little green weed with clusters of small yellow flowerheads. It seeds itself about rapidly, so hand pull it or hoe out seedlings.