As you might have noticed, I don't sympathize with some of the alarmist claims of the plant police about invasive plants. But I certainly believe that Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica as it is now correctly called, is a very very dangerous plant. I even recommend not growing the variegated version.

But here are some comments about this unkillable invasive that I came across on a popular mailing list (listserv) recently. I've not given the names of these folks to protect the, errr, naive:

"I'm wondering if I'm doing myself a disfavor by leaving it in? Does anyone have any negative input with this Fallopia japonica?" Negative input? I should say so. DIG IT OUT AND BURN IT!

"I had mine in medium light under a huge maple and a large spruce in really rotten dry soil. It was easy to keep under control in those horrible conditions - just whack off the suckers every spring.  Actually pretty in a shady spot. It never got really large. Think it was thirsty all its life." Pretty? Yes, but that's not the point.

"In the right place these plants can perform and behave well" Hah!

"I have seen it growing all over the county here in Tennessee.  It is a favorite of flower designers in the fall.  I would be careful about treating it nice though.  Take root sections to make more clumps since the seeds will take a longer time to get the effect you want in the garden." Make more clumps? NO!!!

No.