Over the long weekend I decided to freshen up the side garden and I cut two of the five cordyline palm arms. The clay pots keep water from dripping into the trunk. I hope to grow morning glory up them this summer.
As you can see in the before shot, some plants were looking a bit tired and the black mondo grass was taking over. The most winter damaged plants have been the cordyline and the azalea.
Ginger enjoys the revamped area as its a sun trap for him. This mini walled garden contains grasses... I went through a bit of a grass phase, and it also houses lupin, delphinium and a number of other perennials, as well as shrubs like Heathers and Pieris Forest Flame.
I found out what this lovely yellow flowering plant is.... it's an invasive plant (weed) called Yellow Archangel. It creeps its way wherever it can.
The bees really enjoy this plant. I've pulled some of it out of my flower bed and will need to keep it under check.
However the creeping Yellow Archangel has taken over about a 10 feet area behind my Sycamore trees. I suppose I'll leave it there as its acting as a weed suppressant (to other weeds) and I kind of like the varigated leaves of the plant and the yellow flowers.
Part of the area behind the Sycamores covered with Mr Creeper (also known as Yellow Archangel, Variegated Lamium, Lamium galeobdolon). Apparently it can grow 100 sq yards in 5 years.
Archangel? More like a devil of a weed!
ReplyDeleteYour gardens are lovely and spring seems to bringing them to their glory. Ginger seems to enjoy the sunshine too.
ReplyDeleteKelli, I have that same plant..just variegated leaves. Despite my attempts to pull the monster out..it comes back..every time!!
ReplyDeleteGinger looks quite contented in his sunny spot! Will you keep all the Mondo grass? The color contrasts are striking.
Impressive job on the clear-up. I've never seen so much of that black grass thing in one place!
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of the bee wearing a sun-bonnet!
ReplyDeleteHope the Cordyline palm will recover. I notice you have not gone for the really drastic solution (cut it down to ground level)suggested by Joe Swift!
Hi Hazel, I was wondering too where the name Archangel came from; who names these plants? Why didn't they name it Creeping Charlie? or Crazy Creeper?
ReplyDeleteThanks ann for the compliment. Hope the essay grading is going well.
Hi Jenni, for some reason the photos I've taken of the Archangel weed doesn't show the varigated leaves too well but it does have striking varigated leaves, very pretty in fact. I think in other parts of the world the plant is also called Deadnettle. Apparently there's a non-invasive type and an invasive type - of course I would have the invasive type!
Janet, the black mondo grass started as two tiny pieces (fitting into the palm of my hand) I bought them at a plant sale from the local hoticulural society about 9 years ago. Over the years they have spread and spread. I have a pile of plants I removed that will go in2 the bin. I'll plant some up in pots and give away.
Hi Mark, I decided to opt for what the gardeners are doing at Botanic Gardens in Belfast. They're only cutting the wet or rotten top section of the palm reather than cutting it to the ground. Time will tell!
Like the bee picture very much fancy a yellow hat I see. Looking forward to see morning glory in your beautiful garden this summer.
ReplyDeletePretty name for a weed! It looks good under the tree. I love the look of black mondo grass - didn't realize it would spread so fast! GREAT picture of the bee!
ReplyDelete