The Washington Garden Club has been involved in the eradication of this unusually aggressive invasive plant for several years. Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) can grow to 9 feet in height and spreads rapidly once established. It creates great thickets that crowds out native species by denying them needed sun and nutrients.
Knotweed is particularly hard to eradicate because it spreads through underground rhizomes. Digging up these roots is not recommended because even small fragments that break off will quickly repopulate the area.
Most recently, the Club has donated $3,000 to the Town of Washington's efforts to remove the knotweed along the town's River Walk near the Primary School.