Keep these rude, aggressive plants out of your garden

By Tovah M artin

The Washington Post

CALL THEM WHAT you want: aggressive. Opportunistic. Energetic. They expand quickly and push out their neighbors. They show up uninvited elsewhere on your property or in your neighbors’ yards. They are plants, and they’re rude.

We’ve all heard of “invasive species,” the nonnative plants that can harm the environment or human health. These species vary by region and are tracked on official lists. But what about the plants that aren’t technically invasive, but are just plain undesirable? Unless you have a lot of space to devote to them, bringing these garden hogs home might be a bad idea.

As a lifelong gardener based in New England, my personal list of banned flora is expansive and begins with bugleweed (Ajuga reptans). Although some cultivars are said to be less energetic, the species has taken over my property.

Also high on my “not in my

Gnomes

CONTINUES FROM PAGE F2

— as sophisticated garden accessories, thanks to Isham and Crisp. Photos of them even appeared in Britain’s arbiter of high-end style, Country Life magazine.

In 1912, gnomes were featured at the Royal International Horticultural Exhibition, a forerunner of the Chelsea Flower Show, which began the following year and didn’t allow gnomes to be featured, because trendsetters of the time determined they weren’t tasteful enough. Their 15 minutes of fame with the posh crowd was almost over. The gnomes fell further out of favor during the two world wars, when the British spurned anything related to Germany, but they enjoyed a resurgence in the 1950s and ’60s. Mass-produced and often made of concrete, they were cheaper and smaller, making them more accessible to middle- and lower-class homeowners. This democratization was garden” list is gooseneck loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides), a temptingly pretty plant with arching flower spires that overruns everything else. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), from the same family, covers the ground with a thick mat of round leaves that nothing can penetrate. English ivy is another rambler (with tenacious suction cup-like roots along its branches). I’ve also had run-ins with tansy, tradescantia, cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) and Anemone canadensis, to mention only a handful. Identifying unfit plants might require some research and observation. Trusted garden centers, nurseries, fellow gardeners and professionals can offer advice. It’s worth noting, though, the United States is a big country and plants that pose problems in one region could be fine in other areas. And remember: Even these aggressive plants can be tamed, in the right hands. Garden designers with plenty of experience with soils and plant habits might the nail in the coffin for posh gardeners. “They’re no longer suitable for upper-class gardens now that they’re down in the suburbs,” Way says.

No matter. Gnomes went international, immigrating across the Atlantic, where Americans were infatuated by them, in part thanks to the popularity of Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Though there isn’t a particular mythology associated with them in the United States, people lump them in with other good-natured mystical beings, such as fairies and Chinese dragons.

“I think a lot of people who get a gnome — we’re not talking about people who cover their entire front garden with themdo often attribute some kind of luck to them,” Way says.

Their popularity skyrocketed in the United States in 1976, when Wil Huygen’s book “Gnomes,” featuring charming illustrations by Rien Poortvliet, became a sensation, selling more than a million copies.

The collaborators claimed their fictional work was based on use them in places where they need to cover large expanses of ground, or where the plants can compete with other aggressive species.

I asked several garden designers to share their most unwanted lists with me, including Richard Hartlage of Land Morphology in Seattle; garden designer Donald Pell in Pennsylvania; and Edwina von Gal, a garden designer based on Long Island as well as founder and board chair of the Perfect Earth Project. Hartlage suggested a general test of a plant’s aggressiveness. Mints are frequent offenders, and they top many gardeners’ lists of undesirables. In particular, spearmint and peppermint are energetic, persistent spreaders when planted in a landscape, but apple mint and other varieties can also go rogue. Plenty of landscapers also avoid plume poppy (Macleaya cordata). “It’s a beautiful plant, but way too much trouble,” von Gal says of this tall perennial with glovelike foliage, which was popular in historic landscapes and can lie dormant for decades. Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) also knows no bounds. “That plant just wants to take over,” says Pell. Other goldenrods, however, might be more appropriate for gardens. Mints, plume poppies and goldenrods increase primarily by sending wandering runners (rhizomes) to expand their territory, a common multiplication method for overly energetic plants.

Ornamental grasses, on the other hand, often use seed dispersal to expand. Silver grass (Miscanthussinensis), which is on invasive lists in many states but still frequently sold in nurseries, is a classic example of a grass that doesn’t work well in gardens because of its rapid growth via seeds. Hartlage also finds that Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) can spread quickly by seed in warm zones (but self-seeding might not be an issue where this grass is not hardy). I also have found that morning glories can be a nightmare because of overly prolific seed sowing. Although “Heavenly Blue” (Ipomoea tricolor) has never self-seeded in my New England garden, other morning glory varieties continue to pop up annually. I’ve learned to identify the seedlings and remove them before they begin another generation. there have been many loving homages to the diminutive yard fixtures. In the 2001 film “Amélie,” a stolen garden gnome is sent around the world to be photographed with famous landmarks, the inspiration for Travelocity’s Roaming Gnome ad series. There have been a pair of successful, star-studded animated films, “Gnomeo & Juliet” and “Sherlock Gnomes.” (Our fingers are crossed they come out with “Mad Max Beyond Thundergnome” next.) observations of actual living gnomes in their native Holland, documenting history, housebuilding, courtship and copulation (which was apparently so robust that the female gnomes almost always gave birth to twins). Poortvliet’s playful pictures of gnomes rubbing noses, helping injured animals and building snug underground cabins painted them as endearing, warmhearted characters full of good intentions.

I could continue to call out inappropriate garden plants; the list is lengthy. A wise strategy would be to monitor new plants in the garden. If something begins to overstep its bounds, curb it swiftly. Pulling aggressive plants early is better than taking a wait-and-see approach. And do not make the mistake of sending aggressive plants to your compost pile, where they can continue to multiply.

Then, share your experiences with fellow gardeners. Spread the word, rather than the plants.

Tovah Martin is a gardener and freelance writer in Connecticut. Find her online at tova hmartin.com.

The statues took a bit of an irreverent turn in the 1980s, when, Way notes, topless female gnomes and farting gnomes began showing up on lawns. It was downhill from there. Now it’s possible to find statues of gnomes mooning, sitting on the toilet and vomiting rainbows. We think Isham would not approve.

Despite all the mockery,

The Chelsea Flower Show finally warmed up to them, allowing gnomes decorated by the likes of Elton John and Judi Dench to grace the gardens at the show’s 2013 centenary celebration. There was even a giant-size gnome on display, a perfect prop for early adopters of Instagram looking for a selfie mate.

And don’t expect them to stop popping up in flower beds, at events or on your screens. “They’re here to stay, because we keep reinventing them,” Way says. “Who knows what we’ll do with them next?”

11

Public Auction

WEDNESDAY,

MORTGAGEE’S

WILBRAHAM OPEN SUN 12-2 PM

35 Ivy Cir - Unit 35 Gardens of Wilbraham

FIRST FLOOR LIVING AT IT’S

BEST. Introducing the Cambridge Unit w/ over 2300 square feet of living space w/ a two car garage. The LR has floor to ceiling windows, hardwood floors & a corner gas fireplace. Brand NEW granite kitchen counter tops w/ an island & a separate dining room w/ hardwood floors. Two spacious primary en suites w/ full baths, ceramic tiles, and walk in closets. The beautiful season sunroom is surrounded by windows & serenity. Laundry room w / a half bath completes the first floor. The finished basement offers over 500 square feet for a home office, fitness area or recreational room. Maintenance free lifestyle awaits you. $439,000

Marisol Franco Broker Associate Coldwell Banker Realty 413-427-0151

Aaron Posnik

info@towneauction.com / 781.790.7870 www.towneauction.com

1,000’s of sports cards, all big stars, at least 50% off. 1950’s to present. BUYING ALL SPORTS CARDS, RETIRED VETERAN

9 month old medium hair black cat, dog friendly, neutered, all shots, w/chip. $60.00. Call 413-292-3650

Two kittens, Maine Coon, Bengle mix, $50.00/each. Call 413-777-9659

10 AM 46 Holland Drive, East Longmeadow, MA

Terms of Sale: Present a $5000 bank check deposit at sale The balance shall be paid 30 days from the sale. Other terms may be announced at sale. Auctioneer makes no representations as to the accuracy of the information contained herein. NO CASH

T. Gravlin - MA Lic. AU 3112

MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT PUBLIC AUCTION

Tuesday, April 4, 2023 9:00 AM - CHESTER 70 Ingell Road

Multi-Bldg, 2.04 ac lot, House 1: 3,336 sf liv area, 11 rms, 6 bdrm, 3.5 bth House 2: 410 sf liv area, 2 rms, 1 bdrm, 1 bth Hampden: Bk 17931, Pg 16

TERMS:

BE MY PUPPY VALENTINE 8 weeks only, Boston Terrier AKC Puppies, 4 black & white females, 1 red & white male. Call for details. 413-252-1463

German Shepherd/Lab Mix puppies, 1st set of shots, dewormed. 2 females, 1 male $400/each. Call or text 802-323-2538.

German Shepherd Pups, 6 males, 3 females, AKC paperwork, shots & wormed, written hip & health guar. Parents on premises. Raised in country setting. $1500/ea. Call 978-249-3724

Golden Retriever, 4.5 Year Old, female, available, friendly, great with kids. $50.00. Call or text 802323-2538

Labradorpuppies,9wks old,blackandyellow available,vet-checked, 1stsetofshotsand wormed,parentsonsite, asking $900 413-813-1585

Puppy for sale, Yorkshire Terrier mix, female born 10/22/22, up to date on all shots, $1000, please call 413-589-7877

Teddy Bear Puppies, pure white or pure black $600/ ea. Just in time for Valentine’s Day. For info. text or call Lori 413-966-9152

TwofemaleHuskypups available,born11/12. $750,Vetchecked,1st shotanddewormed.Call /text802-624-1291between4P-7Pforfurther details

NORTH CHELMSFORD (978) 251-1150 www.baystateauction.com

MAAU#: 1029, 2624, 2959, 3039, 2573, 116, 2484, 3246, 2919, 3092, 3107, 0100030, 3099

West Highland White Terrier, male, 9 weeks, Vet checked & current vaccinations. $1800. Call 413-596-8190

Peaveymodel1810Bass,3 speakerenclosure,great condition,$200,call413388-9744

TechnicsStereoSytem,5 component,5speaker, withremoteaudiocabinet.Excellentcondition, $250 Call 413-388-9744

AARON POSNIK & CO. INC. Indust & Comm. Auctions 31 Capital Dr. W. Spfld. 733-5238 www.posnik.com

DouglasAuctioneers.com

ESTATES-ANTIQUES 413-665-2877