I'm struggling with invasive brambles and sumac trees that are growing right in between my beautiful roses and hedge. My garden is snugly bordered by a communal plot, and the roots of these unwanted weeds are deeply intertwined with my cherished plants. Digging them out would mean sacrificing my roses, and with limited space available (just 50cm between the fence and my building), I can't address the sumac roots without damage. Additionally, I need to keep my pets and kids safe since herbicides are off the table because they could harm my other plants. I'm looking for any creative solutions!
1 Answer
I understand your frustration! While I see you've ruled out herbicides, a somewhat targeted approach might still help. You could try cutting the persistent weeds down as much as you can. Then, take a small paintbrush and carefully apply a bit of herbicide to the cut stumps; this way, it minimizes risk to your nearby plants. I get that it's not the ideal solution, but it can be effective without much spread. If you're really concerned about your kids and pets, just make sure those plants aren’t in immediate reach of them.
Thanks! Replanting is not really an option, both roses are over 2m high 🙂
We have cats, and they do sometimes get a bit deeper in the bushes. But the application with the paintbrush seems like a possibility. What herbicide are you using?