Don’T Pass These By

In keeping with the spirit of the Friends of Manito’s perennial plant sale Saturday, I thought I might mention a few invasive plants that deserve a place on your most-wanted list. You might wonder why you’d want any invasive plant. The answer is simple: The plants are so neat that if some’s good, more’s better.

Here’s a short list of my favorite “once ya got ‘em, you’ll always have ‘em” plants:

* Black-eyed Susan (rudbeckia): These large golden-bronze, daisy-like flowers are the sunshine in the garden from July through October. They grow from 2 to 3 feet tall, they thrive in just about any type of soil and they don’t seem to be bothered by any pests or diseases. Though they’re easy to lift and divide, they seed themselves prolifically, especially the popular variety Goldstrum. I think they’re lovely when mixed with a few companions such as lilac-hued Frikart asters, ornamental fountain grass or white coneflower.

Bee balm (monarda): This interesting, tall plant attracts droves of butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. Dozens of spiky tubular florets surround the flowerheads giving the blossoms the appearance of having been stuck into a light socket.

Although monarda spreads by shallow underground roots and by self-seeding, it’s an easy plant to control.

I like pink or violet monarda mixed with blue globe thistle, Russian sage or white summer phlox, particularly the variety David.

Evening primrose (oenothera): Though these plants seed themselves readily, no garden should be without them. Oenothera that bloom during the daylight hours are called sundrops or suncups, those that bloom during the evening hours are called evening primrose.

Sundrop primose (O. fruitcosa) grow about 1-1/2 to 2 feet tall with bright yellow flowers. This particular variety is outstanding when mixed with catmint or lavender. In fact, I like it mixed with just about any plant.

Evening primrose (O. tetragona) grow 2 to 3 feet tall with bright yellow flowers that open at dusk. Watching its blossoms open is like watching an animated, slow-motion film. Each of the four petals unfold slowly right before your eyes. It’s truly a wondrous work of nature.

Most all of the plants I’ve mentioned will be available at the Friends of Manito plant sale Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Manito Park.

One prolific plant I like isn’t on the list of plants that will be available, though. Chinese Lantern (physalis) is a real joy to see, especially this time of year. The “Perennials for American Gardens” description says it best: “Grown for its orange red, inflated, papery lanterns, this unaccountably popular plant has all the subtlety of a neon sign. … A good plant for a child’s garden, but an adult’s sense of aesthetics should be mature enough to avoid it.” They’re right, you know. But there are times I throw all sense to the wind.

I have it growing in the south 40. When it spreads, the unwanted plants are easily pulled out. My grandchildren love it and I use it in all the fall arrangements. The papery orange lanterns are outstanding alongside sunflower heads, orange pumpkins, brightly colored strawflowers and maple leaves.

What is it?

Is it a plum or a prune? A dried plum is called a prune. But not all plum varieties can be dried as prunes. Thus, all prunes are plums, but not all plums are prunes.

Contrary to some thinking, potatoes do not grow tomatoes. The small green tomato-like fruit found on the plant of the potato is the seed of the potato. Like the tomato plant, the potato plant is a member of the nightshade family. Other than the edible tomato and potato, the rest of the plant is very toxic, including the tomato look-alike seed.