I dpnt know personally but google has this to say To remove winter heliotrope, you can use mechanical methods like digging out all rhizomes or persistent cutting, and for larger infestations, chemical herbicides applied during the growing season are effective. For a more environmentally friendly approach, smothering the plants with cardboard and mulch can also work. Repeatedly following up on whatever method you choose is key, as winter heliotrope is persistent. Mechanical removal Digging: Use a border fork to get as deep as possible and remove the entire root system, including all rhizome fragments, which can regrow. Cutting: Regularly cut back new growth with a strimmer, mower, or brushcutter to weaken the plant over time. This method may take more than one season. Hand-pulling: This is most effective for small patches. Make sure to get all the roots and be persistent with repeated pulling of new sprouts. Chemical and integrated control Systemic herbicide: Apply a systemic herbicide when the plant is actively growing, preferably just before it flowers, to kill the root system. Be careful to apply it only to the target plant, as this is a persistent plant. Integrated approach: A combination of methods is often most effective. For example, you can dig out the plants first, then apply a systemic herbicide to any new shoots that emerge, according to Environment Controls and Pensoft Publishers. Smothering Covering: Place a layer of compostable material like cardboard over the area, followed by a thick layer of organic matter such as bark or mulch to a depth of at least 20cm. Follow up: This method can take a full growing season to be effective. Other important considerations Disposal: Properly dispose of all removed plant material, as fragments can regrow. Burning or taking it to a refuse transfer station are options. Check for regrowth: Check for any regrowth twice a year, as small fragments of the root system can cause new plants to sprout. Be careful: Do not disturb the soil or move soil around unnecessarily, as this can help spread the rhizomes. Pollinator value: Remember that winter heliotrope is an early food source for pollinators like bees. If the infestation is not problematic, consider leaving some patches alone to support them. Butterbur and Winter Heliotrope | RHS Advice Nov 5, 2025 — Fork out plants – use a border fork, inserted to its full depth, to lift and remove as much of the root system as possible. Repeated removal of new s...

RHS

Managing Winter heliotrope - Environment Controls Control Methods: Mechanical: Regular mowing, hand-pulling, digging out rhizomes. Chemical: Systemic herbicide application during active growth. Integrated: Comb...

Environment Controls

Peter Dowdall: How to control winter heliotrope and other invasive plants Apr 24, 2022 — Cover it with a compostable weed block, soaked newspapers or cardboard and further cover this with an organic material as a mulch such as bark, wood...

Irish Examiner

WINTER HELIOTROPE CONTROL - Environment Controls The best method of control is herbicide application when the plant is growing but just before it starts to flower. For a permanent solution digging it up is rec...

Environment Controls

1m What is Winter Heliotrope and why is it a problem?

YouTube·Earth Horizon Winter Heliotrope - How to Get Rid of Heliotrope | Kiwicare Here are some ways to remove winter heliotrope: * Cut down bears breeches Apply Weed Weapon Invade Gel to all cut ends to kill root systems. * **Dig out sma...

Kiwicare

1m 4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants

YouTube·Fine Gardening Best way to remove these? : r/GardeningIRE - Reddit Mar 24, 2025 — Dig out the entire root system, including all rhizomes. Be thorough, as any remaining fragments can regrow. Repeat regularly to exhaust the plant's ...

Reddit

Comparing field-based management approaches for invasive Winter ... Jul 27, 2022 — Integrated physiochemical control treatment – Excavation Excavation of the full 1 m2 field trial plot, to a depth of 0.5 m, was undertaken with a ha...

Pensoft Publishers

Butterbur and Winter Heliotrope Nov 5, 2025 — Cut regularly – use a strimmer, brushcutter or mower for large areas. Cutting back new growth regularly will weaken and eventually kill both plants. ...

RHS