Planting wildflowers in ditch full of weeds
17 years ago
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- 17 years ago
- 17 years ago
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Ground Cove r for Drainage Ditch with lots of weeds
Comments (4)I have the same problem on a lot that I have to upkeep in a neighborhood where I have not yet been able to build a house. The banks are too steep to mow, and their steep slant also makes the banks stay very dry since the sides face east and west and since the slope drains very quickly. The spring before last, I planted some 6 inch tall growing ornamental blue grass plugs that where supposed to do well in dry areas. This last February I saw that the grass had not spread much at all. The plugs had just begun looking healthier. Well this spring I thought some groundcover 'Fairy' roses should fill in faster and accomplish on my banks what you expressed was need on yours. The good thing about 'Fairy' groundcover roses it that they root as they go, but do not spread underground by their roots. As far as keeping them from becoming invasive goes, I think top spreaders are much easier to contain than those that spread by roots. For sure they are easier to contain than the ground covers and grasses that spread by roots and top spreading growth. Those multiple form speaders are almost as hard to keep up with as the groundcovers that spread by seed. The 'Fairy' grows a nice thick mat very quickly; In the growing season it blooms continuously. it greens up much sooner after the winter freezes than most roses, and small pink flowers that fade to white in sun do not need to be deadheaded. and the canes do not have to be cut back over the dormant period. Keeping them out of places where they are not wanted is just a matter of trimming them back every once in a while. When mine fill in that much and start to over extend the area, I just plan to use a hedge clipper to keep the perimeter line clean. The trick will be to catch the spreading canes before they root out side of the desired perimeters. I do not know how my efforts of planting them will turn out. Hopefully all goes as planned or at least creates a situation that avoids erosion and tall weed problems. One good thing I have noticed is that 'Fairy' roses are very good at living through dry times; even recovering if during the early spring someone cuts all the canes back to ground level. That was a thing my husband did by mistake to one of them after only 6 weeks from the time I had planted it. A month later the roots of that rose, which he had not shredded , had grown new top growth. The little vines were pretty short, but they seemed viable. I was in awe of how they could do that just like some established rose bushes do from being cut back more carefully to go through the winter....See MoreDitch barrier plants for the south
Comments (4)Traditionally, on the Lake Ponchartrain Northshore (before nature-hating types who should have stayed in New Orleans started ruining the place), the ditches were planted in Canna Lilies (there are native/wild cultivars)and Elephant Ears (again, I think there were native types). Louisiana Iris, I've seen a lot around Ponchatoula. The common yellow variety seems to grow like Topsy in ditches. And there are native bulbs, like Swamp Hymenocallis, which thrive in boggy conditions. You do realize that some Bamboo is non-invasive, right? It's grouped as 'clumping Bamboo'. Rosa Palustris (swamp rose) tolerates wet feet, and is a real beauty (native to your area, too). There's an 'Invasive Exotic' I've noticed in South Louisiana ditches (which adds much beauty to the landscape, with its Vermillion blossoms). Can't remember the name, and my browser is so 'improved', now, it's jumping around too much, and won't take me where I want to go (used to be easy to look it up). Anyway, it's in the Locust family, and is a small tree with fern-like leaves....See MoreWildflower/prairie garden in my ditch?
Comments (2)It would help if you said what state you live in and the type of soil in your ditch. Is it sandy or clay? Is it wet or mostly dry? Is it part shade or sun? Also, do you care if the plants are North American natives or not? Coloured yarrow, most large poppies, and so-called "wild" phlox (really hesperis matronalis) are not true US natives. Rudbeckia, echinacea, many types of native asters, goldenrod, vernonia, coreopsis, helianthus are only a few suggestions for showy, low maintenance native plants. Check on the net or in person for some nurseries in your state that feature native plants and that way you will know what plants grow best in your region....See MoreID Wildflower or Weed?
Comments (2)That plant was all over my yard and produces horrid spikey balls. Tiny, but nasty little stickers that wreaked havoc on the dogs' feet. I pulled all mine up once I realized they were the source of the stickers. I live in old town a couple of blocks from the plaza....See More- 17 years ago
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