What weeds are ok to leave, and which can become problematic? That is the dilemma Sara Cox is currently facing as her garden is becoming a haven for 'pretty' weeds that she is in two minds about cutting back.
While many wildlife-friendly weeds are beneficial for gardens, some fall into the category of invasive plants you need to get rid of before they take over and cause damage to paving, brickwork or fences.
Not being a keen gardener herself, Sara Cox has taken to social media to ask her green-fingered followers for advice on which weeds to keep and which to remove. But one of the plants in question isn't actually a weed at all; it's one of the plants for pollinators – but that's the one branded a 'nightmare'.
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On her Instagram @djsaracox, Sara writes: "Green-fingered folk, help me out here please. Look, there's all of this here in my bin area (showing a generous amount of sprouting weeds and plant stems).
I feel like maybe bees and butterflies might enjoy it for a bit, or do I just pull it all up? I don't really want to use loads of poison. And some of it's so pretty. Thoughts, please, on what to do? Are weeds just flowers that are unloved?"
While the responses are mixed, there is an overwhelming amount in favour of removing the buddleia plant.
Despite it being brilliant for attracting butterflies and bees, its aggressive nature and tendency to take over can prove very problematic. "If it has flowers, leave; except the buddleia; it's a nightmare!" exclaims one follower.
Others are in agreement, explaining, "Buddleia is sooooo good at attracting the bees and butterflies, but it is a proper hooligan, so get it gone."
"Get rid of the buddleia; they take over and will damage your patio," writes another.
So with that advice in mind, but with Sara citing that she wants to avoid 'poison ', we asked our resident gardener, Orpheus Alexander, how he would remove the weeds without using toxic chemicals.
"I'd pull out the tall weeds and then use a hooked patio weeder for the rest. For the weeds that regrow, mix 1 litre of strong white vinegar (5% acidity) with a tablespoon of washing up liquid and spray onto the new growth. Will weaken and kill the plants over time."
Using white vinegar in the garden is the ideal way to kill weeds without resorting to harsh chemicals – boiling water is another effective weed-killing hack.
This set of two hooked tools is an ideal solution for tackling weeds in garden paving, brickwork and driveways thanks to the slim design.
Take the pressure off your back with an adjustable, long-handled weed-removing tool. Spans from 91 to 118cm.
Follow Orpheus' advice and make your own natural weed killer. This Empty Amber Glass 500ml bottle is ideal for spraying the solution directly where you need it.
With Sara expressing her fondness for the 'pretty flowers', many of her fans are encouraging her to keep some of the smaller varieties as part of the meadowscaping garden trend.
"Pull up all weeds there and plant a wild meadow seed area in your lawn," says one. While another writes: "A weed is only a plant in the wrong place. Move them. But don’t leave them."
"Keep the ones you like and get rid of the others by pouring boiling water on them- no weed killer needed."
Poignantly, one of Sara's followers suggests: "Leave it all for now - with everything dying from the heat and a hosepipe ban, the insects need all the help they can get."
Being mindful of wildlife is particularly important right now, as we experience record-breaking temperatures. There's lots of expert advice on how to help birds during the heatwaves. We're big fans of the makeshift bird bath trend we saw earlier this week – such a simple, cheap way to help wildlife when it's hot.
