RE: Houttuynia cordata, smoke bush
Chris
Long Island, NY
Zone 7
Good morning all!
I've been trying to remove Houttuynia cordata (Chameleon Vine) from
several gardens beds for years! The first few years it behaved itself,
so I gave it to all my gardening friends! I'm surprised that they still
speak to me! I have spent hours sifting the soil where it's growing,
but every little root hair seems to return as a new plant! In one bed I
ruthlessly pull 3/4 of it out a few times a season.
Don't plant it! It grows as aggressively in full shade as well as full
sun. The only way that I appreciate it is as a bouquet partially
submerged in one of my water gardens. It will do quite well without
soil.
I think it's flower is somewhat like a dogwood and quite pretty. I have
two forms of the beast growing in my gardens. One is mostly green with a
red blush and the other is the red/cream/green form. The leaves have an
awful odor.
If you'd like to see a photo let me know.
I'm thinking of planting a smoke bush to replace a large privet that I
had removed. I was thinking of Cotinus 'Royal Purple'. Will it keep
its color all season? How big can I expect it to grow? I've read very
differing info on the net!
We're still not in our house post-fire, but the carpeting is starting
this morning, so I took a day off from work.
Chris
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