Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is a fast-growing and prolific annual, known to many gardeners for the sheer number of seedlings produced each season and the time it can take to control.
Botanical name Capsella bursa-pastoris
Areas affected Beds, borders, paths, patios and occasionally troublesome in lawns. Also common on uncultivated ground
Main causes Seed produced in large quantities
Timing Seen all year; treat from spring to autumn
What is shepherd's purse?
The weed is also a common host plant for the foliar disease white blister, which affects members of the Brassicaceae, Asteraceae and Aizoaceae. Shepherd’s purse may harbour the disease, increasing the chance of it spreading to ornamental and edible plants in these families. The weeds can also act as a reservoir to maintain the disease in a garden, even when susceptible plants are not being grown.
The RHS believes that avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies, should be the first line of control. If chemical controls are used, they should be used only in a minimal and highly targeted manner.
Eradicating the weed using non-chemical approaches can be difficult and requires time and patience. However where the weed occurs in beds and borders, these approaches may present the most effective and practical control:
- Regular light hoeing of seedlings soon after they appear will sever rosettes from their taproots and prevent flowering and seed production. Use a long-handled hoe to quickly tackle a border and a hand hoe for weeds growing near or between established plants. Non-flowering seedlings can be composted
- Applying organic mulches, such as bark chips, to affected beds and borders will prevent growth if applied to a depth of at least 8cm (3in). Opaque mulching films are also effective
In beds and border
The contact herbicide pelargonic acid (Doff 24/7 Fast Acting Weedkiller, Roundup NL Weed Control, Resolva Xpress Weedkiller) fatty acids (SBM Job Done Garden Ultrafast Weedkiller) or the systemic herbicide glyphosate (Roundup Fast Action) can be used in such situations to scorch off foliage. This should be done before plants produce seed. Take care if applying these non-selective herbicides between ornamental plants by covering them with plastic sheeting whilst spraying. Covers can be removed once the spray has dried on the weed foliage.
In uncultivated areas or around established trees and shrubs
SBM Job done Tough Weedkiller (ready-to-use only), SBM Job done Path Weedkiller (ready-to-use only) and Weedol Pathclear products containing glyphosate/diflufenican and can be applied once a season to natural surfaces where no plants are to be grown, and can also be applied under and around established woody trees and shrubs. This product kills off existing small green growth and prevents or checks developing growth. Check manufacturer’s recommendations before use to avoid damaging sensitive plants.
Inclusion of a weedkiller product does not indicate a recommendation or endorsement by the RHS. It is a list of products currently available to the home gardener.
Weedkillers for gardeners (Adobe Acrobat pdf document outlining weedkillers available to gardeners; see sections 3a, 4 and 5).
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.