Unfortunately, the answer is no. Persicaria capitata clearly seeks world domination and has found the perfect home within those closely laid bricks. Getting rid of the seedlings that have wedged themselves around the edges of the house may require poison :(
It is very pretty though. I was reading an article lately about how to change our views on such aggressive plants using them in a useful manner. For example someone in the East is using Kudzu as a fibre plant, etc. Does get you thinking about survival of the fittest.
I've considered trying Cotula linearifolia as a groundcover in areas where nothing else has survived but I've yet to act on that idea. Maybe I should transplant pieces of both Cotula and this Persicaria and let them duke it out.
I've always like Persicaria's beautiful foliage but knowing its vigorous habit, I never planted one in my garden. I had your post in mind yesterday, when I saw a tiny viola, (3/8"), blooming in the crack of my patio... I hadn't grown violas in that area for a few years now, yet a few seeds thought it's time to germinate. And bloom! Nature is resilient and persistent. Chavli
I always smile when I come across a self-seeded Viola. If only they'd spread like the Cotula and Persicaria have done! Persicaria capitata has spread further in my garden than even the Cotula linearifolia.
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:) - it is pretty, is it fairly easy to pull from between the cracks?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the answer is no. Persicaria capitata clearly seeks world domination and has found the perfect home within those closely laid bricks. Getting rid of the seedlings that have wedged themselves around the edges of the house may require poison :(
DeleteActually, I have used vinegar, as well as boiling water, to kill weeds in the past. That's a good idea - thanks for the reminder!
DeleteIt is very pretty though. I was reading an article lately about how to change our views on such aggressive plants using them in a useful manner. For example someone in the East is using Kudzu as a fibre plant, etc. Does get you thinking about survival of the fittest.
ReplyDeleteI've considered trying Cotula linearifolia as a groundcover in areas where nothing else has survived but I've yet to act on that idea. Maybe I should transplant pieces of both Cotula and this Persicaria and let them duke it out.
DeleteI've always like Persicaria's beautiful foliage but knowing its vigorous habit, I never planted one in my garden.
ReplyDeleteI had your post in mind yesterday, when I saw a tiny viola, (3/8"), blooming in the crack of my patio... I hadn't grown violas in that area for a few years now, yet a few seeds thought it's time to germinate. And bloom! Nature is resilient and persistent.
Chavli
I always smile when I come across a self-seeded Viola. If only they'd spread like the Cotula and Persicaria have done! Persicaria capitata has spread further in my garden than even the Cotula linearifolia.
DeleteI'm green with jealousy over your weeds...all mine seem to have thorns or burs and in the case of goat head weed aka caltrop, actual spikes.
ReplyDeleteI'll count myself lucky I don't have weeds that bite back!
Delete