I fell in love with Fallopia’s variegated leaves. The white splotches on bright green were irresistible. I put it in a featured location so I could see it from all angles.
The red twigs, with bright white and green are gorgeous in any light. I loved its tiny, white, aromatic blooms covered in bees during June.
I did not know I had allowed in a menace for several years. The first problem was the Japanese Beetles. They prefer these leaves to any other plant in my garden. I do not like to provide food for pest, as you know. So each summer when the beetles arrived I simply chopped down the stems and burned them.
But the something else occurred. I kept finding those beloved leaves in miniature away from the parent plant. Further and further away. I put the parent plant in a pot and buried it. This has slowed down the appearance of escapees.
If you look up Fallopia japonica ‘Variegata’/Japanese Knotweed. You will see it is a menace in the south. A gorgeous menace.
FLOW didn’t know!
floweralley 
Oh yes, this has been banned in the UK! Many parks and public gardens have eradicated it and although it is not actually illegal to have it in your garden you are obligated to control it and are not allowed to sell property with it on. It has to be disposed of by professionals and should not go in to compost. A shame, as it is very pretty…. I hope you can keep yours under control!
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That is why I burn it. I can see how it would take over any spot where it is uncontrolled. It is like kudzu. Someday I will grow weary of the battle and burn the whole plant.
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I actually bought a plant years ago. It never took hold and soon died. Obviously not suited to dry rooty shade.
One native plant here I would not plant in a small garden is Mahonia, Oregon grape. It sends out suckers that are impossible to remove.
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I know that shrub. I did not know it was a pest. Thankfully, I do not have one.
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In Pennsylvania, it has taken over all the stream banks and encroaching into farm fields. It is not variegated, but has the same name and they do not seem to be able to control it.
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Oh my goodness. I can imagine it exploding in wet environment. I feel the need to murder it now that I have heard so many negative comments.
I wonder why I was able to buy such a invasive plant?
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Remember kudzu? That was introduced.
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Looks pretty even for a menace 🙂 lol xx
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Oh, there are SO MANY plants in my garden I wish I had done my homework on before planting. Tiger Eyes Sumac being one of them–a beautiful bush, but very adept at creating progeny through root suckering. Invasives are a never ending battle.
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Do not get me started bfll. I planted CROWNVETCH on a problematic bank over 30 years ago. It took forever to get rid of it. Then there was Englush ivy and Evening Primrose. Oh the heartache and shame! These were hard lessons.
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Wicked invasives! We have the non-variegated knotweed spreading beyond control. I didn’t know that it came in variegated form. I can see why you fell for it, though. A wolf in sheep’s clothing!
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I sit and look at it every morning. This must be its last season. I cannot risk its escape into the wild. It really is gorgeous.
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A handsome thug, for sure.
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great title !
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Thanks John Malone.
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