Willowherb?

[emma_mcraf]

So this plant has been steadily growing in my weed border for the past few weeks. At first I thought it was Willowherb but it's grown into such a bush that I'm not 100% sure as willowherb always seems a bit straggly and not so well-formed when it's come up anywhere in the garden before.



It's got very small pink flowers and I feel it must be Willowherb but wanted confirmation before pulling it.



Does anyone recognise it or had willowherb grow so big before in just a few weeks?
Thank you.

[Gordon]

Yes Emma it's willow herb torts won't touch it but the bee's love it.

[emma_mcraf]

Bloody stuff. Out it comes so there's room for my sowthistle that usually gets a second life around this time of year.
Thanks for confirming, Gordon.

[Alan1]

Aye it is. There are 13 types of willowherb in that wild flowers book

[emma_mcraf]

Thanks Alan. It's actually quite pretty in flower but I'm ruthless when it comes to the weeds allowed in my weed patch.

[Ozric Jonathan]

I also have this patricular willowherb which is an annoying plant. The seeds seem to get everywhere but it's easy enough to pull up.

[Gordon]

So have I but I leave it until it has flowered as the torts like to hide under it.
I leave most weeds that are no good as a food source for cover as the torts never eat them.

[Ozric Jonathan]

Gordon I use self-heal in that way. It's said to be edible but my torts don't eat it. So I let self heal grow in the enclosure alongside the sage and other decorative plants.

When I tried this with lady's mantle it didn't work and the tortoises ate the small plants I put in. Strange as they don't seem to like lady's mantle if I offer them some to eat.

[emma_mcraf]

Originally Posted by Ozric Jonathan

Gordon I use self-heal in that way. It's said to be edible but my torts don't eat it. So I let self heal grow in the enclosure alongside the sage and other decorative plants.

When I tried this with lady's mantle it didn't work and the tortoises ate the small plants I put in. Strange as they don't seem to like lady's mantle if I offer them some to eat.

Mine eat self heal so I have that in my weed border too. It's spread quite nicely and seems to survive the winter months pretty well. They also have Lady's bedstraw but they won't eat cleavers. I guess they all have their favourites.

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by emma_mcraf

Mine eat self heal so I have that in my weed border too. It's spread quite nicely and seems to survive the winter months pretty well. They also have Lady's bedstraw but they won't eat cleavers. I guess they all have their favourites.

They do all seem to like different things that's why I tend to leave every thing where it grows they know what they can and can't eat.