Please help me identify a plant/weed in my garden

[DesperateHousewifeToo]

It looks like a variegated ivy - the leaves are the size and shape of a large type of ivy. It is growing straight up from the ground (as opposed to along the ground or up a wall like my other ivy plants), does ivy do this?

There are about 5 separate stalks growing already within about a foot square.

It appeared last year for the first time and I pulled it up and it has not reappeared till now.

Before I do the same I thought I would try to identify what it is as it could be something pretty that has migrated from next doors garden, in which case it can stay. Or it could be some marauding weed that should be dealt with again.

Any ideas?

No-one then? [sob]

The plants have till tomorrow evening to be named as a proper plant, then they are coming out, lol.

can you put a pic of it on your profile?

I nearly took a photo earlier but forgot. Tis too dark now.

Will see if I have time tomorrow.

Do you have any ideas poopscoop?

Try climbing it, If there is a giant at the top look for the golden goose and then run fast

We had ivy and it regrew straight up the house wall every year after we cut it down. In the end we dug it out entirely but it took ALOT of digging

If only I could find that golden goose. It has appeared quite quickley so it might have reached the Giant by the morning!

I have ivy in other parts of the garden. It's a pain and I'd definitely kill it if it is ivy.

Ok. Photos on my profile page.

More shoots have appeared overnight but still no sign of that damn goose. I bet someone stole it!

It does look like ivy but it's sooo straight!

Bindweed can look like that at this time of year, although it doesn't usually have varigated leaves. Try pulling one up and see if it has white, fleshy, easily-breakable roots.

it looks like varigated ivy, it may be growing up looking for something to grow upagainst. I would remove it personally if it's growing that fast! all the ivy/ ivylike plants in our garden are destined for death next weekend!

It's not like the bindweed we have had elsewhere, these stalks are much thicker- about as thick as my ring finger.

Think I'm leaning towards ''whatever it is it'll run riot so get rid of it soon'' decision!

I'll pull some up later after I've fed the dcs and inspect the roots.

I think but am not certain that it might be Japanese Knotweed. In which case pull it up, dig out the roots and burn it making sure that you don't let any of it escape. It is really invasive and really nasty.

Links with pictures here and here

If it's Japanese Knotweed then kill it, and kill it fast! It is evil and will grow incredibly quickly, taking over your whole garden if you let it.

Blimey! Think I'd rather it was ivy

My aunt had this in her garden- it was like a jungle.

Have to say, I'm not convinced it is Japanese Knotweed but will look at some more photos of it and report back.

Have pulled it all out and dug up as many of the roots (white) as I can find. They are coming from under the fence though, so it will be back at some point.

The stems were not hollow as in one description of knotweed but that might be because it is still imature.

Also, the leaves were definitely ivy shaped rather than conical.

Anyway, it's gone for the moment and there's an area of beautifully turned earth now for the local cat's to use. Does cat pee help to kill knotweed?

Good luck. It does look exactly like the knotweed we had, apart from the fact that ours was the same green all over (but I understand this can vary) - leaf shape definitely the same as our knotweed, sorry.

Keep pulling it up the second you see it. Good luck!

I'll be on the lookout now 'just in case'.

Unfortunately, the keen gardeners who lived next door have rented out their house for the past 18months and although the current neighbours seem very nice, I think they would think I was mad if I asked them about it

Thanks for all your help