I love my garden, the way it is overrun with what looks like wildflowers. There are two plants that have me befuddled, though. One I've never seen bloom here before, and we've lived in this house for three years. This spring it seems to want to overtake the whole back garden, almost choking out the rest of the plants. It looks nice, but almost TOO much of it. I yanked a bunch out today, trying to let the rest of the garden have some breathing room. The other I think is a variety of thistle, but I don't care if it IS a weed - I love it! If anyone knows the names of these plants, and whether or not they are weeds or detrimental to the rest of the garden please do let me know! In addition to these two plants, there are English Poppies, a few tulips, some irises (still not producing flowers, just leaves right now...any advice?) a small "accidental" strawberry plant (tossed the top of a strawberry in the garden one summer and it took!), one climbing rose, and TONS of calla lillies. So far, the two 'mystery' plants have only taken to the north side of the garden (it runs N-S along the east fence) and surround the climbing rose, and some of the calla lillies. PS - the attached files are HUGE...apologies in advance!
Pierrot: thanks!! I looked up Centaurea and from all the descriptions and photos of variations of the genus, I think the species is Montana :) David in LA: Thank you too!! Again, looking it up confirmed your analysis :)
Aside from the invasive problems you have been having the H. cordata is a neat plant. The way the petals developed to look like butterfly wings is wonderful. Here is an illustration from the E flora of China. Harry
No, it's definitely Houttuynia. I keep that one in a POT! Actually I also have bit growing under a willow tree where it gets virtually no water or nutrients, and it doesn't expand too much.
Yeah, I think it's really pretty, actually, and wish it had invaded the garden beside my driveway!!! That looks bare most of the time, or else fills up with weeds. There are calla lillies there too, but usually weeds. I think the smell of the leaves is wonderful - a cross between ginger, lemon and fresh fish - almost like a really great sushi place!!