wow... a lot of people have posted for this same tree the past month... I even did about a month ago :o) my neighbor here in NJ cuts it back every fall because its against the foundation of his tiny cottage. He doesnt dig it out though because he likes the giant leaves and gives privacy to his porch....its a cool looking tree. I agree. If you like it, just cut it back every fall. But it wont produce flowers. At least it doesnt for my neighbor. have fun with it........... Bronwyn

Sorry! I see my original now.

I agree with the others, wait until our short frost season is over before trimming any damaged growth. For the bougies, just wait until they start re-growing and cut above a nice fresh green shoot. Unknown #3 is a white flowered trailing lantana (L. montevidiensis). I'd use a hula hoe to keep those weeds under control. It's basically a scuffle hoe that "shaves" the weeds off at ground level. Do it on a warm sunny afternoon and they'll croak right away. Plus it's kind of fun. Getting some type of mulch around the lantana will help control weed seedlings too. Unkonw #4 is a Ruellia, sometimes call Mexican petunia. They bloom spring through autumn. You can trim them if you like, or leave them be. Again, I'd wait until after the short frost season is over. Keep us posted! Happy gardening! Grant

My guess is also Arundo donax; Giant Reed. When I have seen it in NC they refer to it as cane grass. It is native there, I believe. I also think it may not be hardy much past zone 6. I do see it in zone 6 but it only gets about as tall as pampass grass---10' or so----not like the monster +20' I see in NC. The clumps I have seen have not changed appreciably in 10 years. My guess is it wouldn't be very invasive in most of Tennessee.