Japanese Knotweed in winter – A Valentine’s Day gift?

The month of February is mostly recognised for Valentine’s Day, a day celebrating love, and I’m sure many of you will have visited a flower shop to buy your loved one a special bouquet.

One plant however that you don’t want to be gifted is Japanese Knotweed.  Although it may be attractive and appealing to the eye – don’t be fooled by its charm as this plant will leave you broken hearted if it has its own way!

What does Japanese Knotweed look like in February?

We wrote a detailed article on Japanese Knotweed identification in winter in a recent post. Like a lot of other perennial plants in February, Japanese Knotweed is starting to wake up from its winter dormancy and begin drawing from its rich nutrient store within its extensive root system to activate fresh growth. Above ground all may seem quiet but new shoots are starting to form just below the surface.

If the weather has been particularly mild you may already see some early shoots appearing, although they typically appear mid-March. These shoots resemble asparagus tips which are red / green in colour and 1-3cm wide.  The leaves are rolled up and dark green or red.

Why is early detection of Japanese Knotweed important?

Identifying Japanese Knotweed in the UK as soon as possible will reduce the risk of damage to property and increasing costs if the infestation is left to spread.  Our Japanese Knotweed experts will ensure a management plan is put in place ready for the optimal treatment window to achieve successful control.

How should I check for Japanese Knotweed in my garden?

February is a great month to start thinking about Japanese Knotweed and how to look for it in your garden.  You can make it easier to spot growing Japanese Knotweed by clearing leaves from the ground and pruning back winter shrubs and evergreens to make new growth easily visible.  Our knotweed specialists can carry out full garden knotweed survey and site surveys in February to enable early detection and control.