Solved Weed identification

Please could you tell me what this weed and how invasive it is. It grows everywhere in my garden. I have found that the clumps that have grown against the fences have actually improved the aesthetics of the area. Can I control it or should I be getting rid of it completely?

G.

 

We'll need close up photos of flowers and leaves to identify it correctly, I think. I have my glasses on and still can't see them properly! Take a look at photos of nemesia and see if they look similar to you.

Nick

 

A bit blurred, or could be my eyes. Looks like chamaenerion angustifolium

 

Yeah, my guess was absolute rubbish, I think @flounder is probably right!

Nick

 

It's Great (AKA Hairy) Willowherb, Epilobium hirsutum, not Rosebay Willowherb (which is more beneficial to wildlife).

It has fleshy white roots (stolons) that it will spread from and require complete removal to prevent it from re-sprouting.

 

Great willowherb it is. Should I get rid of it all. I do get rid of a lot of it.

G.

 

It will come up all over the place next year anyway.
Grows everywhere around here and the seeds spread miles.

 

Yep, epilobium, although it doesn't seem very hairy!

 

Agree.

 

Yes it is some kind of Willowherb.

Not Rosebay Willowherb. I first though Broad leaved Willowherb, but there are many similar ones. I just looked it up in one of my favourite books, "Wild Flowers of Britain and Ireland", by Marjorie Blamey, Richard Fitter and Alastair Fitter. They give a lot of details that could help you find out exactly what kind of Willowherb it is. I have had this book for many years and have looked at it a lot.

 

@groundbeetle

One of my favourite books as well and like you have had it for years.
I also have a set of prints of Marjorie Blamey's Seasons, illustrations of flora and fauna in each season, the detail is fantastic.