Re: Geroge Ball's talk at GWA Philly Flower Show

**F*@aol.com**

Well, y'know, there ARE invasive plants that should not be planted in  places 
where they're apt to cause problems. Orum's "right plant/right place" is  
right on. Case in point: Miscanthus. This most popular ornamental grass is  
invasive in some areas, perfectly okay in others. 
That's not the case with, say, Lythrum, which some nurseries still  sell, 
years after we know better. It's a problem from the Great Lakes to  the 
Midatlantic.
One of George Ball's arguments, if I recall correctly, seemed to be  that 
kudzu entered the US by accident, mixed with cattle feed. Not so: Kudzu was  
brought in quite deliberately, to be used as cattle feed and for erosion  control. 
The USDA encouraged and subsidized farmers to plant it. Does anyone  think 
that was a good idea? Doesn't it tend to argue that we should be just a  tad 
cautious about new plants?
Orum's also right about ground covers: Any plant worthy of the name HAS to  
be somewhat invasive, or at least aggressive, to do the job. But I'd like to  
know what he's taking to task. Do you know where I can find Becke  Davis' 
article on invasives?
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