Invasive geranium - advice needed

[Spreckly]

Visited middle son yesterday, and was amazed to see the state of his garden. Neither he nor his wife are gardeners, in fact it barely gets touched, and we cringe when we visit. The very small back garden has a small very dark flowered geranium growing everywhere. Last year when we went for a gardening session, we thought it was ground elder, and my son weed killered it. It has survived and is already taking over their very scruffy lawn.

Short of digging it all up (no thanks), what options are there to destroy it? I would either strim it, or put the lawn mower over it.

Thankfull the front garden is gravelled, so the approach is not too embarrassing.

[Maggie1]

Is it like this Spreckly. If it is its a Cranesbill geranium which is very invasive. The only way to get rid is not let it seed and keep pulling it. Or weedkiller where ever you see it.

http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/gerani ... ssid.2847/

[Spreckly]

Thanks for your reply, Maggie. I am unable to use the links at present, since we upgraded our Yahoo account Will tell son to get pulling up! We have one in the front garden as well.

[wendy]

Never seen or heard of that before. Learn something new every day

[Spreckly]

Hello again Maggie. Managed to type in the link, but it isn't the same geranium. However, went on the geranium wiki, and trawled through several. The one is resembles is Geranium Phaeum, or Dusky geranium, Mourning widow or Black widow.

[Maggie1]

Its still a Cranesesbill so invasive

[Spreckly]

Thanks, Maggie. Have suggested to OH that we pull the one in the front flower bed up, but he says he will keep an eye on it!

[Homemade]

Pot them up and start a business selling them. People love ground cover geraniums and the black widow one is lovely!
In the lawn regular mowing should control it.

[Spreckly]

Brilliant idea, Homemade.