Six years ago, I planted a ceanothus. It was supposed to grow 3 - 4' high
and wide.

About this time last year, it had got to about 6' high and wide and was
showing no signs of stopping. It was sprawling onto the lawn and killing the
grass. Any attempt to cut it back was taken as encouragement to grow another
foot or so.

It was beautiful, but it was a thug. I cut it off six inches above the
ground. I thought it might sprout back but it didn't and I didn't mind.

The ground where it used to be is still weed-free. I wasn't surprised to see
no weeds when I first cut it, as it was such dry dense shade, but after a
year I expect to see a few opportunists.

Do ceanothuses poison the soil? I'd like to plant something with better
manners in its place, but if it'll just die off I'll save my money and
energy - the stump's still there and it'll take some fetching out.

--
Sally Holmes
Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England