What is this and how do we get rid of it?

[bigTillyMint]

This weed has been growing in our garden for the past 15 years! I have tried to dig it out (in several places, both front and back gardens) many times, but it has thick tuberous roots and it keeps coming back

It is now growing bang in the middle of a passion flower climber - any ideas what it is and how I can get rid of it?

That looks like Acanthus ( bears breeches ),yep it's a bugger to dig out,& can grow from the roots.i would be hitting it with round up.

Oh thanks for that Gooner - have just googled it and I think you're right Looks like I'll have to get some Round up and keep spraying it.

Yes, Acanthus - a prized flower to some people! (I guess a weed is any plant you don't want!)

The leaves often used to be mentioned as classic decoration on antique furniture, but don't hear so much about it these days.

It does have nice flowers though. We used to have masses of it, that SEEMED like a good idea at first, but then we wanted rid of it, and it took years!

A good weed killer should get it; we mix killer in (cheap) wallpaper paste, and paint it on. Also woks on dandelions, bindweed etc.

That's a good tip Ferguson, thanks!

I would keep it since it is very hard to get rid of and has very handsome foliage anyway, the flowers are also rather fancy.