Be thee Burdock?

This big, beautifully leafed plant has appeared in the Side Garden. 

All sorts of plants have appeared here since it was cleared last Autumn. It is currently a field of verbascums, with a verbena bananarama or two plus Welsh and annual poppies. I have tried to keep general weeds down but also just let it be. 

But I think this beast of a plant is burdock which means I have to make a decision. My main concerns are around how prolific it is at self seeding- which I believe it is. I am also concerned about the burrs and the cats. 

But the leaves are so huge and wonderful.  Look at how the rain drops love them.  I looked up whether the leaves are edible, which apparently they are but as they get older and bigger they get more bitter.  Which made me then wonder what part of the plant is used for the Dandelion and Burdock drink that was so popular when I was a child?  Not popular with me I have to say, but it was liked by many and is still around.  It is the roots that are used for that.

So I need to think this through as my inclination is that it can’t get a foothold here. It will be cavorting with the dandelions before I can say ‘fizzy pop’, yet a part of me is thinking what a fabulous plant it is.

Watch this space ….  

Take care and be kind.

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