Tackling the Clematis!

Each time we come over, we seem to have a different force of nature to tackle. 2023 appears to be the year of the wild clematis (Old Man’s Beard). It is growing wild on every roadside, and in every woodland. Many trees have become overwhelmed by it.

Presumably this is due to the mild winter, followed by a long wet spring.

The bank under the swimming pool has become covered in it, and it grows up every type of weed (wild rose, blackthorn, nettles, and elder), we also had a fair amount of Giant Hogweed and rue, both of which need careful attention to prevent sap getting on the skin and burning it. The bank appeared to be 3′ deep, on a rocky and at times almost vertical 15′ bank, approx. 90′ long. It had completely covered the septic tank, the inspection lids, and pool outlet pipe, and was beginning to grow over the pool cover and control panel.