[RJR_38]

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum - feel free to move it Mods.

Is creeping buttercup an annual or will it return in the same place next year? In the 2nd half plot I took over, the paths I created have become rampantly covered in it while I was away and it's a nightmare. My original half plot is fine and the paths are grassy with just a few dandelions etc. Do I need to dig up all the paths over the winter to pull them all out or will they die back over the winter and then I can just keep on top of it next year?

[Annen]

Its a perennial and it stops growing during the winter, but doesn't die back much and grows fresh as a daisy next spell of warm weather.  If you can dig it out do so, the crown generally can be levered out with a satisfying crunch. But if you mow the grass paths regularly that should keep the buttercups small.

[mumofstig]

They're perennial, so will be back 

I just dig out the individual plants with a trowel or spot spray with weedkiller - the grass quickly regrows over any bare patches.

[RJR_38]

Will be a case of digging the paths up then grrr! I thought as much but wishful thinking.The whole plot was a jungle so I artificially made paths. Where my first half plot gradually colonised with grass, this half seems to have colonised with creeping buttercup and something else tall with pink flowers... There is no grass just a mat of buttercup

[Salmo]

It is easily killed with glyphosate.

[Christine]

Where my first half plot gradually colonised with grass, this half seems to have colonised with creeping buttercup and something else tall with pink flowers... 

One hopes that your tall pink flowers are not rosebay willow herb as that's another blighter with long running roots that also seeds even faster than dandelions ..

[RJR_38]

That's the stuff Christine! But I got rid of it fairly easily on the first half - it pulls out nicely

I am organic Salmo and have got this far without the chemicals but thanks

[Christine]

Just make sure you get all the roots out or it will come back again and laugh in your face next season. Been there, know that. 

[maloneranger]

And try not to let the buttercups flower, or you'll have more and more seedlings  . . . . .

[RJR_38]

Isn't weed control fun  lol

[devonbarmygardener]

Creeping buttercup is evil!!
It grows up straight from H*ll as I see it

In 10 years, I've managed to control it to an extent - but it NEVER goes away

[AnneB]

We planted up a new strawberry bed earlier this year with runners from our old bed.   Imagine my bemusement when I discovered that MrB had carefully transplanted a creeping buttercup into the middle of the new bed!   I was not impressed.