What invasive weed can grow in UK and survive mowing and foot traffic?

Question

Just been wondering about this for a while. Not planning on sewing any.

Find it interesting that it has to meet 3 criteria. Has to be able to survive mowing and foot traffic. Has to be able to grow in Zone 7. Has to be invasive, so would take over a lawn and remove other weeds.

Answer 1

Clover meets many of the criteria.It's amenable to mowing and foot traffic.Bears pleasant white flowers which are attractive to wild life.The roots fix nitrogen and improve the soil.

It crowds out many other weeds,is more drought resistant than turf and will grow in UK Zone 7.

Answer 2

Japanese knotweed is a seriously bad weed.



It comes from Japanese volcanoes - and it grows through just about anything. It is incredibly difficult to get rid of, and if you are unlucky enough to have any in your local environment, you will definitely have problems selling your house.



I saw a programme on BBC 1 in the UK. In trying to destroy it, the exterminator said if he left a fingernail sized piece of this in the ground - he would need to come back to remove it within 6 months - the stuff an grow 10 cm (4 inches) in a day. Creepers will grow through 12 inches of steel reinforced concrete.



http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/wildlife/130079.aspx

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24426190

Answer 3

Strange that the best invaders are Japanese,but the plants are no problem here.

I always thought that Convolvulus (Bindweed )took the medal in England followed closely by marestail.

Answer 4

kudzu. people have spent their entire life to kill this stuff. I would not want to be the one who brought in to a country. it will cover every thing, they call it. a mile a minute. they also say you can see it grow ?

Answer 5

Well, you can go to your local garden center or nursery and ask them. The professionals should know your area better than anyone on here unless they are your neighbor.

Answer 6

Oenothera speciosa will meet all your criteria. But I warn you, you will NOT (no matter what) be able to eradicate it once established.



https://www.google.com/search?q=oenothera+speciosa&client=firefox-beta&hs=LMb&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=ffd6UvvSH7XfsATwkIL4BQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=629

Answer 7

vinca minor