How do I get rid of invasive looseneck goosestrife?

Veronica EXPERT May 28, 2008

The best strategy with any invasive plant is as follows.

First, dig up as much as you can with a spade, being as certain as possible to get as much of the root and any underground runners as you can.

If the plant is spread in among other plants, this is more difficult but use a small perennial spade or narrow spade to get in as best you can.

If the invasive plant, or much of it, is in one or just a few places, also spray it with a non-selective herbicide, such as Roundup. A non-selective herbicide kills all plants it touches, so be sure to do this on a still day so wind doesn't blow it.

Repeat the application a few days later and then a few days later still.

You'll then need to stay on guard through the rest of the growing season to keep digging up the invasive plant as it shows up.

It may also be a problem for the next year or two, but if you stay on top of digging it out and treating larger areas with a non-selective herbicide, eventually, you'll get rid of the problem plant.