Our neighbors have the most beautiful yard on the block. The landscaping is impeccable and they are always working on their lawn. I can see them slaving away while I sit in my little lawn chair in my garage…which is why they have an amazing lawn and I have a so-so lawn.
Last week, I headed over there to chat with them and saw them sitting in a huge pile of overturned dirt that they had dug up. They were sifting through the dirt for roots to a plant that had been planted there ten years ago. The family had hired a landscaper to come and do their landscaping and he had the perfect plant for the side of their house…something called the Chameleon Plant (read another bloggers experience with it here).
Over the years, this plant has taken over their beautiful yard so my neighbor searched on the internet to see if she could find out more about this plant. Guess what? It is one of the most invasive plants in the world. So invasive, in fact, that New Zealand has banned this plant from their country.
Desperate to remove this plant from their yard, she has been in contact back and forth with the New Zealand government and they recommended she do the best she could to remove it. The roots to this plant can be planted deeply though and so they are trying to find all of the roots and are burning them because they don’t want to put them in the landfill.
When she was browsing at a flea market, this past summer, she noticed that same plant was being sold in buckets for $6.99. She went over and spoke to the person that was selling it and asked if they knew anything about the plant, “It is a great ground cover,” they said. She promptly informed them just how wrong they were.
I have heard of other plants taking over people’s lawns too. Have you ever had any plant that you have planted that you would tell someone NEVER to plant? What has been your experience with invasive plants?
Now the good sides of gardening… Here are some great gardening reads to help you with your gardens this year:
Miles of Aisles of Chemicals- Except Now Their Green (@ Garden Rant)
BFP Garden Project: The $29 Kick-off (@ Blueprint for Financial Prosperity)
When Can I Harvest My Basil? (@ The Kitchn)
Free Mulch! (@ Frugal Upstate)
Garden Entertaining Tips (@ The Kitchn)
High Food Prices Lead to Growth in Backyard Gardens (@ ParentDish)
Focus on Garden Flowers (@ Chocolate on Cranium)
Food Gardening Is On The Rise (@ You Grow Girl)
Deck Makeover (@ CraftyPod)
Natural & Green Lawn Care (@ Nature Moms Blog)
Tips for Improving Your Garden Soil (@ Blissfully Domestic)
A Beginner’s Guide to Organic Gardening (@ Mad About Martha)
Top 15 Frugal Gardening Tips (@ Thrifty Mommy)
The Makings of a Frugal Garden (@ Keeper of the Home)