Creeping buttercup

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Sunday, 10 March 2019 at 3:00 pm

Tackle creeping buttercup in your garden, with the help of our expert advice.

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Time to act

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Creeping buttercup, Ranunculus repens, is easily recognisable by its glossy yellow flowers. It can grow practically anywhere, but particularly likes poorly drained soil. It spreads quickly via strong runners that root along the way. This makes it a tricky weed to eliminate from the garden, as it's difficult to remove the whole plant from the ground. It's best to get rid of it when it's young, before it's had time to spread.

Symptoms

Creeping buttercup is easily recognisable by its glossy yellow flowers. It can grow practically anywhere, and spreads quickly via strong runners that root at nodes.

Find it on

all over the garden, but especially on poorly-drained soil

Organic

The most effective organic approach is to dig out the plant wherever it appears using a fork or trowel. Mulching deeply is ideal for smothering the weed. In lawns, in the worst case scenario, lift the turf and replace it.

Chemical

In lawns, you can get rid of the weed using a lawn weedkiller, such as a 2, 4-D-based herbicide. Apply it in cool, moist and calm weather when there's least risk of accidentally spraying nearby garden plants.