Attack of the triffids/Marguerites/GIANT daisies!

[P.forpony]

So our back field has been completely invaded by a sea of marguerites, absolutely no idea where they’ve come from. The field was reseeded a few years ago but no sign of them last year.

1) while I don’t like the idea of horses eating them does anyone know if they are actually harmful?
2) best way to get rid?

While they look rather picturesque they are completely taking over to the point of crowding out the grass and nearly 3 foot high in places. So suggestions gratefully received.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

What colour are these? Are you sure they are marguerites and not the white moon daisies currently seen everywhere on verges?

 

[P.forpony]

What colour are these? Are you sure they are marguerites and not the white moon daisies currently seen everywhere on verges?

Nope not sure at all, can you enlighten me from this?

 

[Shay]

I think its an ox eye daisy - also called moon daisy. Margerites are more bush like. Neither are poisionous to horses but they will take up nutrients and water that you might prefer the grass has!

Ideally you would spray with a law safe herbicide, most commonly 2-4D I think? They are perennial (both species) so you may need to spray twice a year for a couple of years to get them under control.

 

[P.forpony]

Perfect thank you!
I’m definitely not a gardener ?

 

[Errin Paddywack]

We used to buy hay from someone who had sown a wildflower mix on his land. Had a lot of ox-eye daisies in it and a purple flower, don't know its name, made the hay very stalky but very palatable.

 

[Smitty]

Sorry PfP, had to 'like', such a nice picture ?, a sort of 'poor man' s' "Sunflowers" ??. Sure you don't want them in leu of grass though...

 

[Clodagh]

Please, if you must spray, do it when the bees are in bed.
Could you not just top them?

 

[P.forpony]

I thought if they’re taking up the field the least they could do was brighten up the kitchen a bit ?

Im in no rush to spray them just wanted to make sure they weren’t going to cause harm when inevitably sampled by the greedy pony!

I’m a bit in love with bumble bees (and honey on my toast) so they’re welcome to them for now ?

 

[Shay]

Bumble bees and honey bees are different creatures. But both worthy of protection!

 

[be positive]

Some info, it seems likely that you can get rid or reduce without spraying as they are not very competitive so if the grass is doing well it will slow their growth, so managing the grass well should help.

https://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/76

 

[P.forpony]

I definitely prefer the big fat bumbles but mum is positively fanatical about her hives, so I don’t say it too loudly...she might stop giving me honey. ?

 

[P.forpony]

Some info, it seems likely that you can get rid or reduce without spraying as they are not very competitive so if the grass is doing well it will slow their growth, so managing the grass well should help.

https://wildseed.co.uk/species/view/76

Thanks that makes sense.
Grass is still sparse in places since it was reseeded and lack of rain isn’t helping, it may be they’ve just been opportunistic and filled in the available space.