TOP 8 PLANTS GARDENERS LOATHE AND DETEST

Perhaps the sentiment expressed on the title is rather overdone and it would be more appropriate to say that these nine plants are ones that some gardeners dislike. And there are many good reasons to dislike these particular plants just as there are situations where they can be useful. For instance English Ivy makes an efficient ground cover, but once established is very hard to remove. The other group of plants that fall into this hated category are those that seed and spread. You can discover whether your pet hates are on this list by reading the article by Andy McIndoe which I found on 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.
2 Alchemilla mollis
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.
3 Erigeron karvinskianus
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.
English ivy, liriope, dwarf yaupon
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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