Would lily of the valley wage a fair war agaisnt weeds?

[Kittyfang]

There is a corner of our backyard that is over run by weeds. I mean, some of these suckers are taller than me! I got my sheer, cut some down and will finish this big job tomorrow. However, I was wondering...

Once all of the tall weeds have been cut down and the mower did at least one lap in the weed patch. Would putting lily of the valley, or any other pretty invasive plant, keep those weeds from retaking the yard? I'm also worried that they might spread to the woods and upset whatever ecology us currently present. Any ideas?

[jessiebella677]

I would definatly think so. If its a spot away from other areas I would put some english ivy there to. Wouldnt that look pretty together? I have a spot where we have a ton of poinson ivy so I have put a few of the grape hiacynths I received (from here) down in that area along with some english ivy. I wanted to get lili of the valley for down there also. I just think it would look sensational all together and maybe some crocus and ferns all kinda growing wild,this spot is in the woods off my driveway so when people drive up they would be greeted with this great display of colors!

[ok_nurse]

Jessie-you have an eye for beauty. I agree that ivy and any white flower looks sensational. Your choice of fern for added texture, heighth and color, with grape hyacinths for color accent might be accented even more by a low maintenance variegated shrub (weigala?) who's height is taller than the fern, but lower than the crawling ivy and maybe a white bark birch in the center (since she lives in Ohio) would look stunning in five years. You can even add hosta for contrast if the area is big enough. Don't put the light colors too close together or you'll loose the effect-let the dark ivy and possibly the birch be the eyecatchers. Keep the colors white and various greens with just a hint of the low lying purple or the pink accent of weigala in bloom. Stay away from the blue regal hostas or the variegated yellow shrubs.
If anyone needs the ivy-I've got loads of it-just PM me. Good luck!
-Donna

[jessiebella677]

Thanks for the compliment OK_NURSE!

[jdkline]

So, we think you guys should do just that and then take pretty pictures of it all for us to see. OK? LOL Just kidding. Sounds like it would look awesome!!
Deb

[Kittyfang]

I agree with ok_nurse, you have an amazing eye for beauty! I'm also glad to hear that ugly weeds will be replace with invasive pretty flowers! . Hopefully, they will not harm a garden that my mother in law's boyfriend is planting.

I cannot wait to see what it will look like!

[jessiebella677]

Kitty you have a great sense of humor! I love it! A little wicked humor! Again I love it!
Also thanks for the compliment, I am on cloud 9 today because of a few compliments from the gang here! I feel I ma not an expert but its nice to know some tips I am giving are good!

[jessiebella677]

It may take until next year for mine to look picture worthy because it a big spot to fill! But when it does I will take some pics!
jess

So, we think you guys should do just that and then take pretty pictures of it all for us to see. OK? LOL Just kidding. Sounds like it would look awesome!!
Deb

[gardeningmom]

Just remember, we all have something to share!

[Kittyfang]

Thank YOU for complimenting my humor!

And I agree, I would love to see pictures of your garden!

[jessiebella677]

Its true we all have a little something to add. Just like our flowers pretty alone but even better together!

[jessiebella677]

Thank YOU for complimenting my humor!

And I agree, I would love to see pictures of your garden!

My garden is not picture worthy yet. I have just this year really started to fill it in. Plus I have alot of weeds because we live in a very wild area. In a month or so when all the seeds I planted pop out and bloom then I will post pics. Mine is nothing yet compared to yall's. I would be embarressed. I have seen your guys great full gardens and here in wis its just not been warm enoughuntil recent. Plus like I said this has been the year that I have just started to fill it in of course thats tahnks to all of you.

[Kittyfang]

jessie, I am in the same boat as you. We live in a pretty wild/farm combo area and I am just now starting to go out and work on the garden, but as someone once said, it's a work in progress that will be done once you kick the bucket... Like the great pyramides.

I think the beauty of a garden comes out when everything is in bloom, but more importantly, the real beauty comes out when working in the garden makes the gardener feel as good as the garden looks.

[jessiebella677]

I may tgo out and take some pics today. I will focus on the good parts and also whats in bloom. I have to find my USB port plug so I can get the pics on. So it may take a day or so.

[ok_nurse]

Really Jes-You're seven months due and noone would even think you wouldn't have weeds comon'. I have a hard time with weeds cause my back/neck injury. Lucky to get my plants in and watered. Picking up after the kids ouside is another story. I hurt in the morning and by the time I limber up-its too hot outside. I sure do love to sit out on the front porch in cool morning time and drink my coffee while the kids play. Gets too hot to go outside later in the day. Funny, in MI is got the hottest around 2pm then cooled off. Here in OK, it gets hot at 2pm and keeps getting hotter till about 5pm. Still isn't cooled off until around 10pm. Totally different. I love that I don't need to hard top my Jeep in the winter though!