I must have my clustered bellflower planted in wrong place because it is very happy next to the shorter version of shasta and hasn't taken over. I only have two plants of it but have more seeds. I love that plant.Maybe I should sow those other seeds in the Fall so they'll bloom next Spring.

My yarrow are extremely well behaved. I long ago got rid of all A. millefolium cultivars and 'Moonshine', 'Terracotta' and 'Fireland' don't ever get thuggish. Of course, I NEVER let them go to seed.

I hope you'll let us know who wins. My money's on the yarrow.

My money is on the goldenrod. I have a couple of these gardens, and that's the one that always wins.

I don't have any goldenrod! I'm OK if the yarrow wins -- it's a really pretty dark purply-pink, so it can take over if it wants to. But so far the rudbeckia and sundrops are giving it a run for its money.

Early this spring we started a long border of thugs using the lasagna garden method. The idea was to put the spreaders & ramblers together to duke it out & not make more work for us, but less as we surrounded fruit trees & curved the edge for easier lawn mowing. Sure beats ducking under trees, uneven turf & curving around stump, so my guys are okay with it.

So far, so good... I know it's going to be a jungle next year, but since nothing is precious I can snip & tuck all I want to make it look presentable.

What you describe is pretty much my approach to landscaping. I baby them a little when they are newly planted but after that, they are on their own. I do have an overabundance of rudbeckias this year,but they are in full bloom and I have no complaints.

Becky