Advice on Bear's Breeches....

My book says to lift and divide large clumps in spring, but also says this might be difficult, because the roots are thick and long and it might be difficult to get them out! Good luck with that, then - sounds like reducing them might be a bit of a performance, but they won't suffer from being hacked about.

Many thanks Bamboo - a job I can put off til spring!

Mine walks too, Rufus. I keep it strictly within bounds - any shoots that appear outside the 'circle' get dug up ASAP in the spring. I use a spade and chop through them, then dig them out.

I don't think that lifting the whole plant is an option - It's bad enough digging the stray bits out! :-((

This is one of those plants where any piece of root left regrows. I find it "takes over" because seedlings come up beside the main plant - these should be removed while still small to get the root out completely. Any piece growing in the wrong place can be killed by repeated application of a systemic weedkiller painted on the leaves but it takes several applications before it gives up

So far, so good, Andrew. My spade-work works! lol (sorry!)

Thanks gang, this site is so useful!

Oh, how I agree, Rufus! :-)