Re: perennials DIGEST V3 #152

I'm not sure about lime-colored lamium as a thug, but I do know firsthand that the yellow-blooming, related lamiastrum can certainly be a thug in the right conditions. We had a little bit of it in a shady bed under a maple, along with ferns, hostas, and some spring wildflowers (bloodroot, wood poppy, bluebells). In ten years time, it has completely taken over half of the bed and is starting on the other side. This summer it will have to be pulled up. There is also a "white Nancy" lamium near that area that has been expanding a lot and so will eventually need some removal too. I have so many actual weeds and so little actual physical energy that I hate to remove "real" flowering plants unless absolutely forced to, i.e., when they are endangering other real plants. So the lamiastrum and white lamium would probably be fine for someone who can do more frequent maintenance.

Susan in Urbana, Illinois, zone 5b

Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 12:01:59 -0500
From: Patty Tam <pattytam@comcast.net>
Subject: Lamium thugs

Hi everyone,
A few years ago I planted several varieties of lamium around a large Maple
tree. This included Chequers, Beedham9s White, and another similar one with
lime green leaves but pink rather than white flowers. In this area, and also
in a few other places a good 50 feet away from where they are planted, I now
have lamiums sprouting with leaves that are twice the size, dark green with
little or no white markings, and at least 6-8 inches tall. I know Chequers
is vigorous, but is it a thug? Also, do the lime-green ones revert to green
if they seed? I am trying to decide which ones, if any, to remove before
this gets out of control, and I would especially hate to pull the lime green
ones unless it9s necessary. I9d appreciate any advice-thanks!

Patty
Zone 4, Minneapolis
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