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#1
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I want an invasive plant!
I have an area in front of my house that is surrounded by driveway, so any
plant would be confined no matter how invasive it is. Right now it is full of lilies of the valley, which are certainly invasive but they don't like it there and get ratty looking by mid-summer. So I'm looking for suggestions. Something different, interesting and bullet-proof, requiring zero maintenance once established. Won't be walked on much by people, but dogs will use the area. It's raised and steeply sloped so not easy to mow. The area is 20 ft by 10 feet, east facing, partial sun, lots of water off a porch roof. Zone 5 (Eastern Ontario). Sandy, well drained soil. I saw a type of bamboo grass on a PBS gardening show, which is the kind of thing that might work. It looked quite attractive. Any ideas? |
#2
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I want an invasive plant!
A good English Ivy makes a great ground cover. All it needs is the
occaisional trim with a weed whacker. We had one that nearly ate the back yard. Shell "Dave Gower" wrote in message ... I have an area in front of my house that is surrounded by driveway, so any plant would be confined no matter how invasive it is. Right now it is full of lilies of the valley, which are certainly invasive but they don't like it there and get ratty looking by mid-summer. So I'm looking for suggestions. Something different, interesting and bullet-proof, requiring zero maintenance once established. Won't be walked on much by people, but dogs will use the area. It's raised and steeply sloped so not easy to mow. The area is 20 ft by 10 feet, east facing, partial sun, lots of water off a porch roof. Zone 5 (Eastern Ontario). Sandy, well drained soil. I saw a type of bamboo grass on a PBS gardening show, which is the kind of thing that might work. It looked quite attractive. Any ideas? |
#3
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I want an invasive plant!
Dave Gower wrote:
I have an area in front of my house that is surrounded by driveway, so any plant would be confined no matter how invasive it is. Right now it is full of lilies of the valley, which are certainly invasive but they don't like it there and get ratty looking by mid-summer. So I'm looking for suggestions. Something different, interesting and bullet-proof, requiring zero maintenance once established. Won't be walked on much by people, but dogs will use the area. It's raised and steeply sloped so not easy to mow. The area is 20 ft by 10 feet, east facing, partial sun, lots of water off a porch roof. Zone 5 (Eastern Ontario). Sandy, well drained soil. I saw a type of bamboo grass on a PBS gardening show, which is the kind of thing that might work. It looked quite attractive. Any ideas? Several come to mind. I wouldn't plant any of them: bamboo dandelions johnson grass creeping charlie How about triploid daylilies? The orange kind that spreads by rizhomes. "Kwanso" is a double variety. Best regards, Bob |
#4
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I want an invasive plant!
On Sat, 30 Aug 2003 23:14:09 -0400, "Dave Gower"
wrote: So I'm looking for suggestions. Something different, interesting and bullet-proof, requiring zero maintenance once established. Won't be walked on much by people, but dogs will use the area. It's raised and steeply sloped so not easy to mow. You didn't say where you live, which would help. Vinca major should grow where Lily of the Valley does. It is virtually indestructable, and spreads like Kudzu. The common sort has blue flowers at some season of the year, and there are pink- and white-flowering varieties. It is usually recommended as a 'shade' groundcover, but moves happily into full sun. It is evergreen in zone 7-8 -- don't know about elsewhere. |
#5
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I want an invasive plant!
"Jim W" wrote And if you get one of the cultivars (several hundred or so available) it will be even more interesting;-) Pardon my ignorance, but what is a cultivar? |
#6
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I want an invasive plant!
Dave Gower wrote: "Jim W" wrote And if you get one of the cultivars (several hundred or so available) it will be even more interesting;-) Pardon my ignorance, but what is a cultivar? Cultivar is a horticultural abbreviation for "cultivated variety". It is a plant that has been selectively bred for a special feature - unusual or variegated foliage, bloom color, size or time, dwarf size, etc. They are typically given a name written in single quotation marks which distinguishes them from the straight species. For example, Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen' is a cultivar of oakleaf hydrangea that was selected for the size and shape of its blossoms, which tend to be larger and more heavily comprised of sterile florets than the species. pam - gardengal |
#7
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I want an invasive plant!
I saw a type of bamboo grass on a PBS gardening show, which is the kind of
thing that might work. It looked quite attractive. Any ideas? I grow 14 kinds of temperate bamboo in zone 6 Before I reccomend one I need info on how much dog traffic you are talking. |
#8
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I want an invasive plant!
"Dave Gower" wrote in message ...
I have an area in front of my house that is surrounded by driveway, so any plant would be confined no matter how invasive it is. Right now it is full of lilies of the valley, which are certainly invasive but they don't like it there and get ratty looking by mid-summer. So I'm looking for suggestions. Something different, interesting and bullet-proof, requiring zero maintenance once established. Won't be walked on much by people, but dogs will use the area. It's raised and steeply sloped so not easy to mow. The area is 20 ft by 10 feet, east facing, partial sun, lots of water off a porch roof. Zone 5 (Eastern Ontario). Sandy, well drained soil. I saw a type of bamboo grass on a PBS gardening show, which is the kind of thing that might work. It looked quite attractive. Any ideas? What about mint? There are some lovely varieties, and this is the first plant that I think of when someone mentions the word "invasive". Good luck, A.J. |
#9
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I want an invasive plant!
What is invasive in one place may not be in another. I have been
trying to get pachysandra to grow (acidic, shady. moist conditions) but finally determined the summer heat is just too intense for it, but it is invasive in Cleveland, Ohio. My English ivy is growing very slowly (7 years), yet it grows like a weed in Seattle. To find out what is invasive, look in your region. Kudzu is definately invasive in e.TN. |
#10
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I want an invasive plant!
What about Johnny Jump-Ups (Viola Tricolor). It flowers all summer. If it=
becomes too high or stops flowering, you can cut it a bit and it restarts= again. I think you can seed it in the fall for next year flowers. It does really= well in partial shade. Fran=E7oise. Dave Gower wrote: I have an area in front of my house that is surrounded by driveway, so = any plant would be confined no matter how invasive it is. Right now it is f= ull of lilies of the valley, which are certainly invasive but they don't li= ke it there and get ratty looking by mid-summer. So I'm looking for suggestions. Something different, interesting and bullet-proof, requiring zero maintenance once established. Won't be wal= ked on much by people, but dogs will use the area. It's raised and steeply sloped so not easy to mow. The area is 20 ft by 10 feet, east facing, partial sun, lots of water o= ff a porch roof. Zone 5 (Eastern Ontario). Sandy, well drained soil. I saw a type of bamboo grass on a PBS gardening show, which is the kind= of thing that might work. It looked quite attractive. Any ideas? |
#11
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I want an invasive plant!
Bishop's goutweed - aegopodium - attractive foliage all summer, (white and
green variegated) - the roots would hold the soil nicely on your slope, even though it goes dormant in winter- and it is drought tolerant but can take a lot of water too. Looks like a nice, refined plant, until you let it loose near your garden beds or lawn....LOL "Françoise" wrote in message ... What about Johnny Jump-Ups (Viola Tricolor). It flowers all summer. If it becomes too high or stops flowering, you can cut it a bit and it restarts again. I think you can seed it in the fall for next year flowers. It does really well in partial shade. Françoise. Dave Gower wrote: I have an area in front of my house that is surrounded by driveway, so any plant would be confined no matter how invasive it is. Right now it is full of lilies of the valley, which are certainly invasive but they don't like it there and get ratty looking by mid-summer. So I'm looking for suggestions. Something different, interesting and bullet-proof, requiring zero maintenance once established. Won't be walked on much by people, but dogs will use the area. It's raised and steeply sloped so not easy to mow. The area is 20 ft by 10 feet, east facing, partial sun, lots of water off a porch roof. Zone 5 (Eastern Ontario). Sandy, well drained soil. I saw a type of bamboo grass on a PBS gardening show, which is the kind of thing that might work. It looked quite attractive. Any ideas? |
#12
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I want an invasive plant!
try goutweed.
anton |
#13
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I want an invasive plant!
Kudzu, if it is able to grow in your area. You said your area is
surounded by a driveway etc, oh well forget Kudzu, as it will cover your driveway, and then work on your house, fence, power poles and anything else that is in its path, almost overnight. Not much Kudzu won't cover and take control of. -- Visit my website: http://www.frugalmachinist.com Contents: foundry and general metal working and lots of related projects. Regards Roy aka Chipmaker // Foxeye Opinions are strictly those of my wife....I have had no input whatsoever. Remove capital A from chipmAkr for correct email address |
#14
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I want an invasive plant!
On Sun, 31 Aug 2003 10:06:13 GMT, Frogleg wrote:
So I'm looking for suggestions. Something different, interesting and bullet-proof, requiring zero maintenance once established. Won't be walked on much by people, but dogs will use the area. It's raised and steeply sloped so not easy to mow. Creeping primrose |
#15
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I want an invasive plant!
"Dave Gower" wrote in message ...
I have an area in front of my house that is surrounded by driveway, so any plant would be confined no matter how invasive it is. Right now it is full of lilies of the valley, which are certainly invasive but they don't like it there and get ratty looking by mid-summer. So I'm looking for suggestions. Something different, interesting and bullet-proof, requiring zero maintenance once established. Won't be walked on much by people, but dogs will use the area. It's raised and steeply sloped so not easy to mow. The area is 20 ft by 10 feet, east facing, partial sun, lots of water off a porch roof. Zone 5 (Eastern Ontario). Sandy, well drained soil. I saw a type of bamboo grass on a PBS gardening show, which is the kind of thing that might work. It looked quite attractive. A ground cover rose such as "Grouse" might be a good choice. It is aggressive, fast growing, incredibly tough and winter hardy. Grouse has small, shiny, dark green--pretty much evergreen-- leaflets. It does not get more than about ten inches high. The flowers are single-petaled ---i.e. five petals-- light pink fading to white, scented, and about two inches across. Once established it needs no special attention. I have had it covering a steep slope in my yard for years. Neither dogs, cats, deer, or groundhogs seem to bother it. BTW, it has plenty of small, sharp, and strong thorns. J. Del Col |
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