13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials
I have one of these in the garden. Not sure if it is the Adenophora or Campanula. Whatever it is, it was here when we moved in over 30 years ago and I am still trying to get rid of it. Digging it out, seems entirely useless, because every little bit of root will resprout. I've tried smothering it with layers of cardboard and bark mulch and it grows right under it and actually 'lifts' the cardboard. I have some growing in a crack at the base of a set of cement steps and last year I tried cutting all the foliage to the ground and must have repeated that about 10 times over the summer and it is still there, just as vigorous as ever.
It's a stem on a seedling I found in the driveway. These are seeding all over the place. I like them so I don't mind. It looks like the blooms are going to be a different color on that side too.
I'm going to root a cutting of it and see what I can make out of it. This kind of thing isn't stable so it'll probably just make solid yellowish foliage and/or solid purple.
These vines can tolerate some pretty severe pruning and still thrive.....maybe why they are considered invasive in some parts of the country At this time of year, I'd wait until after flowering; otherwise, winter is an ideal time for hard pruning.
I cut mine down to a stub about 3-4 inches tall every 4/5 years. It regenerates to the top of the porch railings/support columns within about 8-10 weeks after this treatment. Keeps it vigorous and attractive by getting rid of all of the old, dead wood.
Trust me, you can't really kill these things even when you want to. Drastic pruning will NOT hurt it.
Rooting of this plant is easier when a stem juncture is used.
It is not illiegal to root for your own use or for gifts. It is only against the law to sell without purchasing a legal name tag to compensate the breeder for the years of work that went into development of these for the marketplace. We're talking pennies here, so don't fret!
on a large .... mature tree .. digging a few holes is irrelevant ... to the tree .. as most trees are TWICE TO THREE times as large underground as above ...
but the problem is.. it is a desert under there.. with sub-prime soil ... and your tiny little plant.. is NOT going to out-compete a large tree for water ... and if you water just the plants [and/or amend the soil].. take a WAG where the tree will grow new roots ....
AND NEVER TILL UNDER A LARGE TREE ... thats where the real damage will be ...
i would suggest pots.. and some lawn chairs for under such ..
ken
The trees are young about five years old. The perennials would be planted about a foot away from the trees. I would use them as a filler for a few years. I was wondering if digging the perennials up in a few years would be a problem for the trees? What are your thoughts on this? Thanks
Excellent news! I don't mind a self sower. Sometimes your happy with more seedlings and it is convenient. Like little dividends. Anything that is easy to pull out and doesn't keep coming back on you, no matter how many times you pull it, is okay in my book. Thanks...
I got smoked by a freeze on Tues night...my therms. said 21 and 23. The recorded low was 28 but with a 7' Katsura already showing black leaves its not good.
Even those weedy native Populars are all wilted.
April lows to date...
32
32
28
28
32
23
I've been growing Asiatic lilies in containers for the last three years or so.
I simply move the containers in the garage during the winter months and by March pot is filled with new sprouts.
For me, It's also a way from keeping the rabbits from decimating the plants, which they do if planted in ground.
I winter sowed probably 50 containers of hollyhocks that are ready to plant out - about half black and half Antwerp. They'll go along my chain link fence. I planted a few two years ago and they have held up well against the fierce New Mexico winds, even with no support. I'm looking forward to seeing them all in bloom - but will have to wait until next year.
I'm south zone five - actually with that new update to the zone chart, I'm moved to zone 6. Temps have been in the 60s-70s dropping to the forties overnight... though we are having a couple cold snaps last night & tonight, and i'm covering everything.
I probably am worrying too much though. Still it stinks, because I think this one is going to lose the main stalk from the wilting.
It sounds dry, could be a smaller root system than the others that caused the plant to experience transplant shock, or a tighter rootball (pot bound) where water isn't penetrating to the roots even though the ground around it may feel damp....Did they all get the same treatment when planting? Open up the rootball, watered in, not planted too deeply?
It's not wilting from too much shade.
ditto what terrene said - Garlic Mustard is what I thought as soon as I saw the picture in your link gg - now THAT is a nasty plant because it is allelopathic, seeds like mad, and has a very long life as seeds in the soil !
I stupidly planted sweet woodruff, muscari and lily of the valley in the same bed.....fifteen years ago and I'm still trying to rip them out.