Re: chicory

Pam, this is a major roadside wildflower in the Northeast. I agree that is 
gorgeous, and I think a mass of chicory and Queen Anne's Lace, which it grows 
with, is a lovely sight.  Neither of these are natives, but have been here so 
long that they might as well be.  This is one of the 
native-versus-invasive-alien topics.  Yes, they are invasive aliens, but in my mind most welcome ones.  
In part it is a question of native as of when - they've been here longer than 
many of those making the rulings.  I did a piece about them for my club's 
newsletter a while back.  If I can find it, I'll pass it on.  However, I know it is 
supposed to like "waste places" and "disturbed ground."  It is very hardy and 
will self-seed easily, so be sure you want it where it's planted.  
And then you could make coffee of it's roasted roots.
Auralie

In a message dated 05/08/2004 10:45:16 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
gardenqueen@academicplanet.com writes:

> Well, if anyone hasn't grown this stuff - for a not most attractive
> plant,
> the flowers are profuse and gorgeous. As Jesse observed in March, it looks
> like
> an overgrown dandelion for the longest.  Then it sends up this 5'
> multi-branched
> bloom stalk and really does make gorgeous blue flowers.  I started some from
> seed
> last year and this is the survivor.  Glad now I didn't just yank it as I was
> planning
> to if it didn't do anything.  It would be better in a big bed w/ something 
> to
> hide
> it's so-so looking feet however.  Mine will get transplanted out back in
> September.
> 
> Pam Evans

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