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Re: Favourite Thug for a Med. Garden

Tim Dutton wrote:
> 
> Susan George wrote:
> 
> >However, my vote for 'Best Thug' would have to go to a large yellow
> >flowering form of Lamium (variegated leaves) which I grow (I am not sure
> >which species it is)  - while very useful underneath well established
> trees
> >and shrubs in wilder parts of the garden (it will take almost any abuse) -
> >it has found its way into my perennial  and alpine border and just swamped
> >everything. About two months ago I painstakingly removing every piece that
> >I could find ( it roots at every node that touches the soil) - but I have
> >noticed in the last two weeks that it is reshooting from a few underground
> >roots that I apparently didn't find. I am surprised at the vigour with
> >which it is coming back, particularly  given that it is now winter in
> >Melbourne. This plant is much more vigorous than  L. maculatum 'White
> >Nancy' which I also grow  - 'White Nancy' is positively tame in
> comparison.
> 
> Sounds from the description very much like Lamium galeobdolon 'Variegatum',
> which grows impressively (read 'rampantly') in my garden as well. So much
> so that my wife has painstakingly weeded it all out from one area where it
> was taking over too much of a shady bank next to the driveway. I have
> instead transplanted a lot of small pieces onto an almost vertical clay
> bank that is unsuitable for growing just about anything. With a bit of
> luck, the Lamium will cover the bank within the next couple of years. Some
> spots just need thugs!
> 
> For anyone with less difficult spots, I would advise them NOT to include
> this particular Lamium on their list of plants. Go for its refined
> relative, L. galeobdolon 'Herman's Pride', which does not have the invasive
> growth habit and also has MUCH nicer leaves, being silver with dark green
> veins. It, too, has the yellow flowers.

Hi Tim

I once saw the common L. galeobdelon variegatum (sometimes called
Aluminium Plant) looking so nice in someone's garden I begged a piece.
They never warned me, but in extenuation I don't think they had had it
long. Alas, it is still with me twenty years later despite all efforts
at eradication.

I was interested in your comment on "Herman's Pride" as I have not so
far mustered the courage to try it. I might do so now, as I have always
liked the look of its thuggish relative, though certainly not its
manners.

Moira
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
(SW Corner of the Pacific Ocean)
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