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Ophiopogon root nodules
I have been digging up lots of Ophiopogon (black grassy-leaved lily)
which has been long established and beginning to take over other plants. As I dug out the very deep roots, I found very many nodule-like pods along the length of the root mass. If these behave as nitrogen-fixing organs and can be safely left in the soil, then I'm not too worried. However, if they all turn into masses of Ophiopogon plants and start to take over the world, I shall be deeply concerned. Does anyone on urg have experience with this plant? I would be really grateful for any advice. -- Spider On high ground in SE London Gardening on heavy clay |
Ophiopogon root nodules
In article ,
Spider wrote: I have been digging up lots of Ophiopogon (black grassy-leaved lily) I am pretty sure that it can't regrow from them - God alone knows what they are there for. I am surprised that it has very deep roots with you - they are very shallow with me, and my soil is lightish. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Ophiopogon root nodules
On Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:30:48 +0100, Spider wrote:
I have been digging up lots of Ophiopogon (black grassy-leaved lily) which has been long established and beginning to take over other plants. As I dug out the very deep roots, I found very many nodule-like pods along the length of the root mass. If these behave as nitrogen-fixing organs and can be safely left in the soil, then I'm not too worried. However, if they all turn into masses of Ophiopogon plants and start to take over the world, I shall be deeply concerned. Does anyone on urg have experience with this plant? I would be really grateful for any advice. There was a clump in my garden but it hasn't grown since I decided I liked it! Steve -- Neural Network Software for Windows http://www.npsnn.com |
Ophiopogon root nodules
On 21/04/2016 13:37, Nick Maclaren wrote:
In article , Spider wrote: I have been digging up lots of Ophiopogon (black grassy-leaved lily) I am pretty sure that it can't regrow from them - God alone knows what they are there for. I am surprised that it has very deep roots with you - they are very shallow with me, and my soil is lightish. Regards, Nick Maclaren. Thanks, Nick, that's encouraging. These really are deep roots - I nearly pulled up a kangaroo on one of them! I've had to dig so deep. It seems odd that the roots are shallow on your soil, you would think they'd need to put down a deeper anchor, not shallower, on light soil. Anyhow, thanks for your input. -- Spider On high ground in SE London Gardening on heavy clay |
Ophiopogon root nodules
On 21/04/2016 13:40, Stephen Wolstenholme wrote:
On Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:30:48 +0100, Spider wrote: I have been digging up lots of Ophiopogon (black grassy-leaved lily) which has been long established and beginning to take over other plants. As I dug out the very deep roots, I found very many nodule-like pods along the length of the root mass. If these behave as nitrogen-fixing organs and can be safely left in the soil, then I'm not too worried. However, if they all turn into masses of Ophiopogon plants and start to take over the world, I shall be deeply concerned. Does anyone on urg have experience with this plant? I would be really grateful for any advice. There was a clump in my garden but it hasn't grown since I decided I liked it! Steve Typical! Don't get me wrong, I do *quite* like it, especially when it flowers; I just prefer to have a say in where it's growing. I could always save you some, if you like, but I'd need your address to post it .... unless you're likely to be in London in the near future. -- Spider On high ground in SE London Gardening on heavy clay |
Ophiopogon root nodules
On 21/04/2016 16:02, Janet wrote:
In article , says... I have been digging up lots of Ophiopogon (black grassy-leaved lily) which has been long established and beginning to take over other plants. As I dug out the very deep roots, I found very many nodule-like pods along the length of the root mass. If these behave as nitrogen-fixing organs and can be safely left in the soil, then I'm not too worried. However, if they all turn into masses of Ophiopogon plants and start to take over the world, I shall be deeply concerned. Does anyone on urg have experience with this plant? I would be really grateful for any advice. http://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/tag/ophiopogon says that the nodules retain water to survive drought. I have patiently nurtured a large dense patch of ophiopogon nigrescens, 3 or 4 ft across, grown as weed-beating ground cover beneath Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy". In fact it's such a great ground cover I'm trying it under a purple elder and under persicaria red dragon. I don't find it hard to control so don't think you need worry about it taking over the world :-) Janet Thanks, Janet, you have solved the mystery! I confess it is a good ground cover plant and I can also imagine it looking well under a white-barked birch, perhaps with snowdrops pushing through in winter/spring. I do like the sound of your plant combinations, too. No doubt mine was just in the wrong place. I haven't thrown it out yet, so may try it elsewhere, especially now I know it won't take over the world:~). -- Spider On high ground in SE London Gardening on heavy clay |
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