Somebody's Birthday

I imagine it grows anywhere - it`s a disgustingly healthy climber that grows at least 35 feet, totally covering anything in it`s path with long winding tendrils (my friend Blanche totally lost her garage under one in just a few months. Loads of pretty white flowers - it actually looks quite pretty when it covers a telegraph pole or something, or covers a large fence, but never, NEVER plant it in the garden - unless you own a huge country estate, or have a large and terrible eyesore to cover.

I quote: "Another common name for Russian vine is mile-a-minute, and that's a conservative estimate.

It grows far too big, too fast and too ugly even for a large garden. In a small garden there wouldn't be standing room after the first season. This plant is probably worth avoiding."

And of course we have one - in a very small garden!!! I don`t agree that it`s ugly, though - at least, not in the right place.

Pat P

It doesn't sound in the least familiar, perhaps Cheryl will recognize it.

Sounds like it's this

Do not grow this! LOL

Cheryl

I googled for it, under the name "Mile-a-minute" weed, and got several hits. Here is one of them.

A very Happy Belated Birthday from North Dakota, Sheena!!!! I hope your day was extra special!!!

Joan

Now I recognize it, yes, never plant it and hope the birds don't poop a seed into your garden lol Unfortunately we tend to have clumps growing out in the wild where that is what has probably happened.

It was a delightful day and I hope your weather was every bit as nice out there as here, lovely spring day. Thank you.

Vodka? ? ? Liz from Humbug

Aha - polygonum! It features in a very late Miss Marple mystery (Nemesis?) - grows over the summerhouse and also the dead body if I remember correctly.

Alison

Great one!

(snip)

A short story or a novel? I'll go looking. At one point I had whole list of "botanical" mysteries. A fun side branch of reading.

Cheryl

You need several great vodkas to attack a well established Russian vine - that or a party of large Russians (in which case you need even more vodka!). We`ve chopped it, dug it and poisoned it - but it seemed to grow twice as fast after being poisoned! A gorgeous Viburnham Carlessii which was accidentally touched by the poison died almost instantly, though! Grrr!!!

Pat P

When I lived downtown there was a small patch right by the basement wall when we purchased. I finally eliminated it by pouring bleach on it daily for about a week then everytime I saw anything green for another month.

It`s easier to do that when it`s roots are confined - otherwise it sends up suckers everywhere, and you end up poisoning everything.

Pat P

This wasn't even in soil, it had hatched out a living between the concrete patio and the foundation wall. With roots and suckers like that I was worried it was going to crack through the wall as it spread and wanted it out of there.

A willow tree near our pool in Japan did that, suddenly the roots were through the tiles on the side of the pool in search of water. Hideous mess.

And they still sell them (Russian Vines) in Garden centres! They should at least come with a bright red hazard warning! And Willows, come to that. We had a beautiful willow when we lived at Bucklesham - it got huge, but it was in a safe spot, so it was fine. About a dozen of our bantams used to roost in it, and it was quite entertaining to see them being lashed back and forth if we had a gale!

Pat P

Uh Oh! ! ! It sounds like it might be related to that terrible vine in the Rocky & Bullwinkle show. Have you seen Boris & Natasha lurking near you garden? If so, then what you have may very well be a Pottsylvania Creeper disguised as a Russian Vine. Be careful. Be verrrrrrry careful. The Pottsylvania Creeper is a man eater (and women too!) Liz from Humbug

LOL! Never heard of Rocky OR Bullwinkle - should I be pleased about that? Sounds like it might be a relation of the Russian Vine. Anyway "Boris" is going to be severely injured next fine day even if I can`t actually kill him! It`s too wet today (thank goodness!)

Pat P

(snip!)

A very funny cartoon series that was also very political for it's time.

And try vinegar instead of bleach...

Cheryl