Re: now, chores of yesterday

The H.cordata I am actually destroying, as it is alien, and I am a little too close to a natural creek to want to risk it getting established. I know folks who have planted it in their regular garden, and it is pretty well behaved, but in my wet area, it went crazy - my Louisiana iris were in danger of being totally overrun. Am keeping both the others, but if I had it to do over again I would place a root barrier around both. (Don't think you would have to go to the three foot depth that people must with running bamboo, at least for the rose - cord grass is a grass, though, so you might for it - I've only grown it for three years, so I hesitate to say.) Cord grass would be ideal in a wet location where you wanted to retain soil, and could admire its beautiful shape and flowers - where you had the ability to control its spread by mowing. I value the swamp rose for its uniqueness and the wonderful fragrance of its blooms, but I plan to try some drastic pruning...both cane and root!
Cathy
On Sunday, June 8, 2003, at 10:18 PM, Donna wrote:

You are making me very nervous Cathy--- I planted many of these same
species in my wet area.... although the houttuynia cordata didn't like
it and died off. But my swamp rose and prairie cord grass are just
starting to grow, actually though I lost them...

Are you saying I should destroy them now before they really take hold? I
know at the nature center there are large stands of this stuff... but
since it has been there since the beginning of time didn't realize it
would be that much of a problem.

Donna
Who doesn't have a swamp, but does have a wet area....



I spent yesterday finishing weeding the swamp. (You haven't lived

until

you've weeded a swamp!) It actually took me 3 days, adding up the time
spent there. Included smothering my most foolish planting idea
(Houttuynia cordata) and hacking back my second most foolish idea

(Rosa

palustra). From the look of it, I have my third most foolish under
control (Spartina pectinata). Of course, while I was doing errands, DH
went out and bought rocks, including an 800 pounder which placing
wreaked havoc on the adjacent lawn. Then I noticed the deer have again
discovered the hollyhocks which may not live to bloom, but maybe if I
keep them, the deer won't discover the more expensive plants???
Frustrating as it is, a day gardening beats one cleaning the house!
Cathy

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