Japanese knotweed or what?

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Two more pics

No, it is not Japanese Knotweed. Leaves not right and nor is the woodiness of stem in the second pic of your first post.

Son is buying an old neglected house and is worried about this plant. Hope someone with better gardening knowledge than I have can help.

Given that woodiness, I would suggest it is a shrub of some kind.

Thank you Baggs, very reassuring

I don’t think so Lauranorder as the stems are straight - knotweed zigzags st each node and the young stems are red. There are lots of good photos on japanesesknotweed.co.uk.
I hope it isn’t for your sake!

If it's a shrub it will be dig-outable, but I'd be tempted to leave it and see if it flowers. It might be really nice.

Thank you Nannytopsy I have forwarded both yours and Baggs comments to worried son.

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These are the young shoots of Japanese Knotweed. Doesn't look like your photos but, if you're really worried, you could rip a bit up and take it to a local nursery to have them double check.

It is not Japanese knotweed.

It is a reportable weed in any case and I assume that should be somehow noted by the surveyor?

It ought to be.

It is such a shame as it is a handsome plant but totally uncontrollable.

I have often wondered about its native country and how it is controlled. Presumably there is some sort of natural inhibitor otherwise the country of origin would be a huge forest of knotweed.

Red stems and heart-shaped leaves should be viewed with suspicion.

There was some in the next road and the entire site had to be excavated before rebuilding. They put down a huge blue membrane.

We thought, at first, they were constructing a swimming pool!

My son had this in his rented home. The landlord got a specialist company in to clear it which took about 3 years I think. Cutting it, pouring poison into the stems then covering with a thick membrane. Finally got rid of it thankfully. It has to be reported and it is illegal to knowingly dispose of cuttings in your garden waste etc. Just a centimetre of root can turn into a vigorous plant

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The pink spotty stem is a good indicator as well as the shape and size of the leaves. Also the position of the leaves on the stem. Are they in pairs or staggered?
Here's a few more photos of the real thing. I don't think the plant in your photo is knotweed but maybe getting a professional to check it might be your best option.

Do you think it could be this?
www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tTP1TdINiqKLzRg9BLNyMxNzEmsTMxTyMjPS60sLk3OzkkFAL-9C_Q&q=himalayan+honeysuckle&oq=himalayan+honeys&aqs=chrome.1.0i355i457j46j0i20i263j69i57j0i20i263.12037j0j8&client=tablet-android-samsung-nf-rev1&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=FjH1IDbx8XslmM

You must be so relieved OP.

Dont think it’s knotweed, which is not notifiable.There are various apps (I use Plantnet) that help identification.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to alleviate our worries. I’ve passed all comments on to anxious son and he’s a happy boy now.
Wish I’d taken more interest in the garden but apparently never too late. We are having work done to our house and will then have to rework the garden so I will probably be back to the gardening forum soon for your advice and suggestions.
Thanks again

Take a piece to a garden centre. There's usually some designated to identify mystery plants.