Late in the growing season, around August, on well-established Japanese Knotweed you will start to see flower buds emerging from the nodes/leaf joints. Over several weeks these will lengthen, and the plant will start to flower, displaying small fronds of creamy white flowers which hang down from the leaf axils.
Japanese Knotweed can look quite spectacular at this time of year, but this is the best time to treat the plant with herbicide.
At this moment in time, the plant is putting all its energy into seed production prior to dying back for winter which makes it an ideal time to apply herbicide to the foliage. When the Japanese knotweed enters senescence, all the nutrients from the above ground vegetation are drawn back down deep into the root network to ensure the best survival of the specimen through the winter months. Herbicide applied at this time will also be drawn down deep into the root network; allowing for maximum effect.
If you’re concerned about Japanese Knotweed, or indeed any other Invasive Weed, why not take advantage of our range of FREE Identification options or Get in Touch for help from our team?