A few weeks ago, I was expecting to enjoy the summer in the communal garden of my new home, but after weeks of the legal process grinding on, my dreams were shattered by something lurking out there: Japanese knotweed.
This is an invasive and destructive plant well known for damaging buildings, tarmac and drains. Looks-wise, think bamboo. In the summertime it grows like billy-o – 7ft up and clumps of it at least as wide.
While it dies down in winter, it returns each year thanks to creeping underground stems. Digging it up is usually a thankless task; chemicals are favoured but can take years to kill it and cost thousands of pounds.
The Guardian: I thought I'd found my first home – instead I found Japanese knotweed
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