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SLUG PLANTS
(AGGRESSIVE PLANTS THAT CAN TAKE OVER)
BY GLADYS JEURINK
I just read a list of plants never to plant in your
yard or they will take over.
I have my own list and I like some of them but you will need a hoe.
PERILLA is a super seeder of purplish leaves about 2 to 2 1/2
feet tall that I must have, but I warn you I pull them up by the tens
each spring. Those dark leaves make the green ones look greener when
close together. The flowers are small, non-descript and can be cut off
to prevent seeds.
For years I had the CHAMELEON PLANT (Houttuynia cordata) a 12
inch red and green leaf plant that fills in spaces by rhizomes, rooting
stems, and seeds. If you get a start, plant it in an enclosed area to
prevent its escape. It even likes wet soil in sun or shade. It is
sometimes called Tri-color with its very bright colors.
Let it go and you have a ground cover that goes. Since it likes
water, some people grow it in a large pot in their lily ponds with the
top just out of the water. It makes a gorgeous red spot in the pond.
ARTEMESIA genus has its “spreaders” such as Silver Queen (Aludoviciana)
pushes other plants aside with its underground rhizomes. They tend to
have silver leaves so if you like that color, there are different
heights. I have trouble keeping them alive over winter. It does not
spread, has silver, soft leaves, and grows about 15 inches up and wide.
For those of you who like to make your own wreath backgrounds SWEET
ANNIE (Artemisia annua) has branches that weave easily if you don’t let
them get too dry. The ARTEMESIAS are also known as MUGWORTS, or
WORMWOOD. Before you buy an ARTEMESIA, check what it can do.
One of my favorite plants is GOOSENECK LOOSESTRIFE (Lysimachia
clethroides). It is aggressive by underground rhizomes so I have a big
clump that does not allow other plants in so each spring I trim it down
by hoeing out the outside edges. Nothing beats that white elongated head
that opens during late June and does look like a goose head. You might
want to put it in a confined area. It will be about 36 inches high and
24 inches wide, likes moisture and high shade. I hated to find it in the
“slug” group.
PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE (LYTHRUM), a gorgeous plant that has been
banned in I have seen a few states
talk about BUTTERFLY BUSH (Buddleja davidi) as being invasive but our
winters in One of the bright yellow,
fun plants I have had is the BUTTERCUP (Ranunculus repens). The blooms
(cups) are only 1-2 inches across but are numerous. Long, above ground
runners’ root anywhere they land.
Flowers are small but many petaled.
It had intended to take my entire yard before the hoe became
stronger. OBEDIENCE PLANT (Physostegia
virginia) can get up to 4 feet tall and is on the “slug” list in many
places. I have had it in my yard for years in partial sun and it does
spread by underground rhizomes but is easy to control. It has purple
flowers along the stem. There is a white one “Miss Manners” that is not
so vigorous and will stay in its own clump without invading other
plants. Copyright 2015 |