Re: Echium vulgare

Joe and Glen,

I find the world of plant opportunism (or thugville)  fascinating, and a
sadistic form of job security. Here on the N.CA coast, 39º
Lat. we have a Medit. and marine climate which enables some plants to
make the most of the cool moist conditions and others look like they
need a sweater.

Joe, Zantedescia aethiopica,  Crocosmia, 2 species of Cotoneaster are on
the CA noxious weed list and if you lived here, you would see why.  In
fact, Crocosmia was dubbed  'Dump Plant'.  After blasting out the
humongous bulb mat,  chuck it at the dump without a bit of soil around
it , return in a few weeks to find it happily growing with the Pampas
Grass. (The dump is now a transfer station, so we are spared the
persistent nuisance).  Contoneaster pannosa appears as though Cal trans
planted it along Hwy. 1. As for Calla Lily's, I love them but
opportunistic little beasts they are.  They take over every puddle of
water, grow in pure sand, and generally are a beautiful nuisance, what's
a gardener to do? And Echium vulgare!  We no longer have it in the
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, along with its kin Echium piniana.
They are easy to remove but who needs the extra work.  I still plant
Echium vulgare in very exposed coastal gardens and they reseed enough to
stay alive and look beautiful.

Glen's reaction to Echium vulgare is not unlike mine to the misnamed
(Help me out Sean!)Viola labadorica, the beautiful purple leaved, purple
flower one that acts like Oxalis as it takes over Raoulia australis, and
Elfin Thyme.  I see it for sale at the local nurseries and  cringe.  It
takes over our native Viola sempervirens.  One persons dream is
anothers' nightmare.

Lily
N.Coast CA
39º lat.
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