Peter Dowdall: How to control winter heliotrope and other invasive plants 

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Though a non-native and invasive species, winter heliotrope is relatively easy to control using cultural methods. Picture: iStock

It's poking its head up all over the country over the last few weeks and if I had an answer for everyone who asked me how to eradicate it easily, I’d be a wealthy man. I’m talking about winter heliotrope or Petasites pyrenaicus to give it its botanical name.

The most important factor regarding this plant is that the flowers which are produced during winter and early spring are a very important source of food for bees during these months. The flowers are always described as vanilla-scented though I don’t get it myself.