skip to main content

Minnesota Gardening

What are your 'throw-away' plants

17 years ago

These are the plants where, if a volunteer pops up in your garden, you think nothing of yanking it out and tossing on the compost pile!

Some of my toss out plants are:

columbine
liatris
blackberry lily
grey-headed coneflower
lupine
anise hyssop
celadine poppy
most of the asters
oh, and probably anything I post on the Exchange list! ;-)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

beebalm78
17 years ago
I haven't gotten to that problem yet.. I hope to get too many plants where I wont feel like a fool for yanking em out.
bkoopman
17 years ago
Ajuga
dead nettle
false Salomen's seal
Ostrich fern
ditch lilies (orange ones)
common hostas
Helianthus
aster
euphorbia
sedum

I embrace that which is hardy and grows without coddling...except the other side of that coin generally means I am ripping out those same plants for their rambunctiousness!
Related Discussions
Do you get to spend time away from your plants? How?
Q
Comments (34)
i began switching my houseplants - mostly aglaonemas - into a hydroculture set up about 2+ years ago. i tend to use the Pot-in-Saucer method described in the link below. the beauty of this type of grow method is that it is basically impossible to over water plants. and the water line in the clear saucer makes it simple enough that a 5th grader can figure out if you need to add more. so it's nearly impossible to under water either. this past year my husband's father became ill and died, and we've been away for long stretches of time. by placing the pots in larger reservoir tubs, and having a friend drop by to check on things once in a while, i've been able to be gone for 3 or 4 weeks at a time, multiple times, without losing any plants. they can easily go 2 weeks without anyone checking on them. [when i'm home, i place the plants back in the smaller reservoir trays because i think that it's healthier for them. this gives them about a 1 to 2 week watering interval for most plants.] i feel like i'm still learning about my method - for instance, proper fertilization levels and such - but most plants have done well for me. i'm convinced that if i hadn't made the switch, i wouldn't have any surviving plants after this past year... and unfortunately, the next few years are likely to be more of the same. if anyone is interested in this method, check out the link below. there is also a lot of good info on the First Ray's website. his information is mostly slanted toward orchids, but it applies to houseplants as well. please don't think i'm implying that this method is 'no work' or 'perfect', but the question was about vacations, and i think that this is where this method shines. the snags, or complaints, are that the pots are heavy, the Hydroton media is expensive, and if you don't water and fertilize properly you can salt up the media and kill your plants. and if you decide to give it a try, as with any dramatic change... try switching a few test plants first, not your prized specimen or your grandmother's favorite plant. cheers, nancy Here is a link that might be useful: Houseplant Hydroculture
...See More
Please Don't Throw Away Excess Plants!!!
Q
Comments (4)
That was kind of you to remind people. I pot up a couple hundred every spring and give them to various plant sale fundraisers - Master Gardeners, local garden club, Grange, Library, school, etc. They always sell well and raise a lot of money for different causes. I also give them away to friends and family. But it is a lot of work and I can see why it would be easier to just toss them on the compost pile. I sometimes do that for some common plants.
...See More
"Throw Away Your TBR List..." article
Q
Comments (5)
Like Netla, I try to wait a few days/weeks after I have found a new title and before I buy it. (Most of the time the urge leaves, and most of the time I can wait. Not easy sometimes though... And just discovered adding to the Wish List at amazon! That's a whole new world right there.) I think that the article about the TBR pile had resonated with me as I had been struggling a bit with a small and informal challenge that I had set myself. Numerous other bloggers were implementing the "TBR Challenge" whereby from Jan 01 until Mar 31, one doesn't buy a book or get a new title from the library. You can "only" read what's already in your possession and in your TBR pile. I had been doing ok with that, but then the challenge started to chafe me a bit and so I caved in. Still, I did do the TBR challenge for about 5 weeks, and removed a few (six) titles from the TBR mountain. In doing so, I learned that I am not that fond of limiting what I can read! So - the challenge is no longer an issue (as in I'm off it now), but it was good whilst it lasted. I became more aware of the book selection that I have already on my shelves and I realized how much I loved my local library! And, like Sheri, I have become better at DNFing any titles that aren't working for me. Off with their heads and into the charity pile they go!!
...See More
My plants have mealy bugs, do I throw everything away?
Q
Comments (3)
Cyann Imontestella said it - your mix was probably OK and many ppl use it without any problem. But there are times when it could have some problems: C&S mix could have too much peat in it. Only way to tell is to check the ingredients list on the bag. Not all manufacturers make it exactly same way. If that is the case, maybe it was staying wet longer than expected. Fungus gnats like moist and organic environment: wet soil, water standing in saucers, lots of organic matter in the mix and also fallen debris from plants. Maybe it was hot & humid in the room. And it takes only 1 plant brought in with some FG, and they will spread around. Same with most of the pests. Mealy bugs could be get rid of by spraying succulents with rubbing alcohol/water mixture (I have used it undiluted without any problems). It is better to spray plants since these buggers like to hide where you can't get to with q tip. Scale dies if you wet it with a q tip moistened in rubbing alcohol. They often stick to stems and the leaves. Or you could spray just as for mealy. While spraying, do not keep plants in strong sunlight, but it is OK as soon as RA dries up (pretty fast). There may not be need to throw plants out if you catch it early. I would only dispose of it if it was really overwhelming. Keep brand new plants (or any infected now) isolated as suggested above. Pick up any fallen-dried pieces of plants. Get rid of any standing water. Make sure all containers have drainage holes. Double check ingredients of C&S mix. Sift or rinse perlite to get rid of smallest particles and dust. You could add some grit to your mix you can get any - maybe25% C&S soil, rest equal amount of grit & sifted perlite. But you don't have to if you have only C&S soil and perlite - if the old mix is staying wet for too long, increase amount of perlite. You can use 60 - 75% of perlite. Using small fan helps a lot = better air circulation. Do you have garden, terrace or balcony? If so, you could keep all plants out there... How do you propagate the succulent leaves? Can you post photo? You can keep babies from the spider plant - leave them attached, or root for new plants if you wish so. I do not grow photos but I believe it is extremely easy to root it even in water (and I am not a fan of rooting plants in water, haha). Maybe wait with propagating bunny ears for a while - as Imontestella suggested :)
...See More
meeperx
17 years ago
The Reseeders:
Mallow (Malva sylvestris)
Sweet William
Columbine
Tall Phlox
Orange Poppy

The Runners:
Orange Daylilies (These are now officially banned from my yard)
A dwarf iris whose name escapes me
A 7 to 9 foot tall double yellow flower I've heard referred to as "Golden Glow"
Ostrich Fern
gamebird
17 years ago
Chives
Hollyhocks
Morning glories
crocosmia_mn
17 years ago
Zizia
Spiderwort
Oenothera
Columbine
Virginia Creeper
Strawberry
selkie_b
17 years ago
HEHE you all need to read my WANT list... some of your throw-aways are stuff I actually (believe it or not) NEED.

My disposables are:

asters
wild geranium
asters
white snakeroot
asters
wild ginger
asters
jack-in-the-pulpet
and did I mention asters?

-Marie
Karen Jurgensen (Zone 4 MN)
17 years ago
Can I volunteer my services to come to everyone's yard and "liberate" the throw aways???

Isn't it funny how when you inherit someone else's garden(ie buy a new house) they never to seem to have planted the things YOU want?

So far I've gotten rid of:
Iris (ok normally I wouldn't but they were extra)
Hostas
yellow daylillies
campanula
funky shrubs(various and assorted)
ivy
mallow
Yucca
spartangardener
17 years ago
Rudbeckia
hostas
stella d'oro
physostegia
goldenglow
oxeye daisies
columbine
chives
tradescantia
celandine poppy
yarrow
some of my lilies after this year
sweet woodruff
johnson's blue geraniums
sedum
candylily
hyssop
some nicotiana & calendula & amaranth
Nettie
17 years ago
Orange poppies
Phlox
Orange daylilies
Anything growing aggressively where I don't want it.
Malva
Physotogia
Spiderwort
Irises that are "rotters" or fussy
William Baffin rose that won't go away.
Wild white violets
Red beebalm
Rudbeckia
Sedum
vogt0047
17 years ago
ditch lilies
hosta
Pine trees..... I can't tell you how many seedlings I pull out every year

nettiesgarden- I'd gladly come and liberate you from the William Baffin rose :)
meeperx
17 years ago
I'd gladly help liberate any of the following:

Chives
Virginia Creeper
jack-in-the-pulpet
johnson's blue geraniums
some nicotiana & calendula & amaranth
vogt0047
17 years ago
ditch lilies
hosta
Pine trees..... I can't tell you how many seedlings I pull out every year

nettiesgarden- I'd gladly come and liberate you from the William Baffin rose :)
Nettie
17 years ago
vogt0047- unfortunately it is coming up one of my favorite clematis vines that I planted in what should have been a vacant hole. So now I can't shovel it out without damaging the clematis which is more than 5 years old. Too bad because I would take your pine seedlings off your hands.
vogt0047
17 years ago
nettiesgarden- I've always thought it funny that something you really want tends to be so close to something you don't. Right now I have some beautiful lillies right next to a bush that I've been hoping to dig up, but low and behold the lilies spread in one direction and are now too close for me to get at the bush without damaging them. Hopefully this fall I'll be able to get them away so we can dig it up.

I'll be happy to pass along a pine seedling... do you happen to want a crimson maple seedling as well? Those would be next on my list. :)

Related Stories

EVENTS Don't Throw Away Another Household Item Before Reading This

By Mitchell Parker

Repair Cafe events around the world enlist savvy volunteers to fix broken lamps, bicycles, electronics, small appliances, clothing and more

PETS Garden Alert: 22 Plants to Keep Away From Pets

By Marianne Lipanovich

Avoid potential danger by keeping dogs and cats away from these landscaping and houseplant favorites

LIFE How Your Landscaping Can Keep Burglars Away

Prevent home break-ins with strategic landscaping and good practices instead of menacing — and maybe less effective — measures

WINDOWS Photo Flip: 85 Window Seats for Whiling Away the Day

By Bryan Anthony

Grab a good book and settle in for a spell in one of these amazing window seats

DECORATING GUIDES Step Away From the Wallpaper: Why Decorating Risks Are Overrated

By Laura Gaskill

Want to find your signature style? Try staying inside your comfort zone

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: Streamlined Family Home Keeps Its Storage Tucked Away

In this modernized London Victorian, the focus is on letting beautiful materials and soothing colors shine

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Making Over a Harlem Living Room From 3,000 Miles Away

By Mitchell Parker

Using photos, video and email, San Francisco designer Jacqueline Palmer created a stylish living room for a New York City entrepreneur

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Mardi Gras Sneezeweed Throws a Color Party

It brings high energy, takes low maintenance and wears a brilliant outfit. If only all garden guests were this dandy

ENTERTAINING How to Throw an End-of-Summer Moroccan Mixology Party

By Becky Harris

An event planner creates an evening of interactive cocktail-making fun for his guests

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Houzz Tour: An Aussie Pavilion Throws Its Home a Curve

By Susan Redman

A pavilion, a chef’s kitchen and plenty of poolside dining create an entertainer’s haven for one happy family

Sponsored

EK Interior Design

5 Reviews

TIMELESS INTERIOR DESIGN FOR ENDLESS MEMORIES