Don’t even get me started on invasive plants. There are way too many for my liking. But (isn’t there always a “but”), we all pick our poisons. In this case, I do not mean actual poisons so much as the two invasive plants I am willing to put up with. The two that I enjoy so much that I am willing to put in the extra work to control them. Yes, more work than I am generally volunteering for these days, but we all need to decide what is worth the work to us, and what isn’t.
Let me warn you, the picture below is scary and you may not be able to unsee it. It shows you what happened the year we let cleome have its way.
It was totally cool. It is also something that we have NEVER let happen again. Here we have this year’s photo. Still a lot of cleome, but a lovely border to the path.
The magic is two part. One, grow it in a contained area. Mine is only “sort of” contained. The path on the right does let a few cleome grow, and some do try to sneak in on the left. Two, I need to be diligent in snagging the young seedlings when I walk past. Note I said diligent, and I mean it. No digging, just pull the babies out. They are really easy to recognize, and for the beautiful border I get, I am willing.
I also let larkspur live. As long as it pops up where I want it. Again, a controlled area, this time with grass on one side and a path on the other, and a recognizable seedling to pull, Its a “memory plant” for me. You know, the kind of plant that comes with memories. The seeds came from Betty, my vice-president at the Elk Grove Garden Club many years ago. Seeing the larkspur reminds me of Betty, who has long since retired to Florida.
So, there you have it. My true confession that I simply can’t always opt for easy in my garden.
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