Maybe the title is a little too strong and should be “nine plants that some gardeners hate” while others think they are useful in the right place. Mind you I have to confess that number one on the list Pampas Grass is my pet hate plant. While it can be spectacular when in full bloom, for me there is nothing worse than the bedraggled specimen it turns into come the winter rains. This interesting article is by Andy McIndoe and comes from the Learning With Experts website.
It is interesting that gardeners seem to hate plants that succeed too easily. Even if they are good, reliable ornamentals, the fact that they thrive in spite of us is seen as a drawback. We also think we should dislike plants that are considered old-fashioned. The pampas grass may be a child of the ?70s but it certainly has a long season of interest! We love the idea of groundcover plants that smother bare soil and overcome the need to weed, but we hate anything that seeds and spreads. What we most desire is what we really shouldn?t grow: things like meconopsis and gentians, or rhododendrons when we garden on shallow chalk.
Lady?s mantle, Alchemilla mollis is a great example of an excellent garden plant that gardeners complain about. Sure, it seeds and spreads. Mainly because we let it. If we cut it back as soon as the flowers start to fade it can be kept in check, but we forget and consequently seedlings emerge anywhere they can avoid disturbance. Planted under the hedge or under mature shrubs or trees alchemilla can survive where lesser plants wither and perish. Make the most of it.
The looks of the fleabane, Erigeron karvinskianus belie its tough resilience. With similar habits to alchemilla it is altogether lighter and more delicate in habit. The tiny pink and white delicate flowers cannot fail to charm, as much as we complain about its invasive tendencies. In a previous post I recommended this as plant that survives dry shade. I stand by that from experience, despite the fact it is usually grown in sunny, dry conditions.
Top of the garden enemies has to be ivy. Seen as a thug that strangles trees its qualities are overlooked. Shade tolerant, evergreen, versatile either as self-clinging climber or the perfect groundcover it has a lot to offer. Not least of all a valuable source of nectar and pollen and berries as food for birds. The large-leaved hederas are particularly good as ground cover under trees. Their leaves are reflective and lighten shade. Some complain that it can take over; my advice is don?t let it, control it.
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We had pampas grass in my childhood. The neighborhood kids used the plumes for horsetails in the steeds we concocted.
Looks lovely when I can see through the allergy effects. 🙁
Hate my pampas grass,grows like crazy too
Include Chameleon Plant….. plant from hell!!!!
spreads like wild fire and so does snow-on-the- moutain/ Can’t seem to kill off!
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Love it & can’t get enough. I feel so alone!! Lol
Flax lilies.
Chameleon plant should also be on the list
Don’t agree about ivy…when it gets to a natural area it takes over. Then there is no one to control it.
Morning glories, big mistake planting in garden area.
Aint it the truth, i had a couple come volunteer on my property division fence,and backdrop to one of my flower beds, and i thought how pretty and nostalgic, they grew on our childhood farm. I let them grow… i am still trying five years later to get them out. Big Mistake.
sweet pea, I’m finding it everywhere!
Barberry. No plant should have thorns unless it is a rose. Oh and it spreads here something terrible.
Love my pampas. Its lines the outside of our fence and helps give some privacy
I like papas, but it’s toxic to dogs.