Re: Lysimachia 'Firecracker'

In a message dated 7/5/00 10:52:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
Lowery@zeonchemicals.com writes:

<< First, it will spread for me.  Not overly so like other lysimachias, but it
 does seem to like the amended clay that it's in. >>

I would like to add that the term invasive is not synonymous with the plague. 
 Some plants that are very vigorous in rich soils are not so in poorer, 
leaner soils.  The subject is a large one and each "invasive" plant can be 
evaluated on it's own merits.  If you have a dry, shady, gravelly, root 
filled, etc., area, one of these invasive plants may be the answer to your 
gardening problem.

I have lysimachia clethroides in a shady area that is dry with infertile 
soil.  This plant makes a beautiful clump there and is no trouble.  Once told 
by some southern gardeners that vinca minor was a pest in the south, it was 
hard to convince them that this myrtle is an esteemed ground cover in the 
north.  Again, it should not be planted in very fertile soil.

The only stoloniferous plant that I have even removed from the perennial 
gardens is artemesia ludoviciana or Silver King as it can travel faster than 
I can.  Still, it is a beautiful mass of grey foliage in the late summer 
garden.  This artemesia can survive under the lawn mower.

Some of the more vigorous plants occasionally discussed here in the north 
behave differently in the south (any maybe west) so experiences will vary.  

All of these "invasive" plants have a use somewhere or would be consigned to 
the weed list.  The English call the opium poppy a weed.  We allow this poppy 
to grow and bloom anywhere it wishes in our gardens, welcome it.  The plants 
can be regulated by pulling up the seeded finished annual.   You can regulate 
where you want it.  The pink and purple singles are such a pleasure with the 
bluish foliage. Some weed!

If a plant is too vigorous, consider a different location or at least check 
on it's other uses.  You may be pleasantly surprised.

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY z4

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