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Questions on wildflowers

theend00theend00 Posts: 48
in Garden design
Hi there ! Sorry to disturb everyone :3 

The title of this post is rather vague , I apologise for that but that's because I have two questions that aren't really linked 

The first of which is if I'm making a mistake in introducing two species , green alkanet and viper's bugloss . I am trying to create a carpet of blue , and when I found these plants growing wild in Liverpool I nabbed the seeds ignorant of what they were. Some say they are invasive, though so are many wildflowers, how controllable are these species ? 

Secondly on a more upbeat note, i have had two palm trees bought for me which I've planted next to a magnolia and a rhododendron , all quite glossy foliage , hot colours , dark purples and reds . Im ok with shrubs and the like , not so much bedding plants . I'd like to establish some perennials that would complete this area , any suggestions? 

As always thank you very much for your time :3 I learn very much from this blog 

John

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited May 2019
    Green alkanet is really invasive and a total PITA ... i would do my level best to get rid of it ... the roots can go down a long way and be quite tenacious. You’ll need to get rid of every bit of root or they will resprout. 

    Don't think Viper’s Bugloss is quite as bad ... although it can be quite a spreader and it too has very long tap roots. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Morning John. You are not disturbing anyone so no need to apologise.
    Green alkanet is very invasive and has roots that can go down to Australia but it would be perfect in a wild garden as the flowers are so pretty and are loved by pollinators such as bees. Vipers bugloss is more easily controlled and again an absolute must if you want to provide an excellent food source. I have the following in my garden as they prefer slightly shaded areas, Gillenia trifoliata, Deinanthe bifida, Patrinia triloba and Anemonopsis macrophylla. These are random selections as you haven't said if you want specific colours to go with your present colour scheme or if there are any height restrictions etc. There are so many lovely hardy perennials that would go with the dark colours you have - the geranium Phaeum for example, with purple flowers - also loved by bees - is an easy to control, gentle spreader.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • theend00theend00 Posts: 48
    Thanks for responding! Sorry for the late reply :3 

    Hmm I might see if I can isolate the green alkanet in a pot or something , and chop it before it sets seed. Viper's Bugloss might be the same tactic. If that fails , weeds like horsetail and alkanet , can glyphosate stem injections get down to its roots? Without killing everything around it as well?

    I have two colour schemes Ladybird, mostly it is blue , with occasional breaks of dark purple , pink and white and soft yellows. But the more tropical bit is more hot pink , purple, red and orange. I notice you've gone for Japanese plants and some quite dry American ones. Japanese plants seem to be quite easy in general , I'm a bit daunted by the Bowman's root, how hardy is it ?

    Thanks again :3 John x
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Morning John. I'm in the north west and I haven't - so far - had any problem with my Gillenia. In fact when I was outside (rain dodging!) yesterday, the new shoots are all showing through. Glyphosate will do the job but its highly controversial because of its possibilty of causing cancer. Horsetail - I've been trying for 30 years to get rid of it from my garden and it still pops up every year. I just keep chopping it off when it shows up.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Keep the vipers bugloss, it's a wonderful plant for wildlife and not very invasive. The alkanet I have no experience of. Have you thought of blue lupins, whilst not exactly a wild plant the bees do love them or Larkspur (predecessor of delphinium)? Both have wonderful bloe forms. 
  • theend00theend00 Posts: 48
    edited May 2019
    Hi Ladybird! . Hmm perhaps the glyphosate is not the best idea then , I've grown up in a house of smokers and asbestos , I don't need to add to the risks of cancer :P Thanks for the warning Ladybird :) I rip up the horsetail where I find it , but it is in-between a lot of plants and hides from me . I suppose it might be wishful thinking to look for something that will kill it and only it , if weedkiller is exuded from its roots then I'll wish I just stuck with it. After all , could be worse , it's not ugly and compared to Japanese Knotweed , not as damaging. I'll consider all the plants you suggested Ladybird , because they look quite cute :3 

    Hi Bijdezee! Delphiniums /Larkspurs , Lupins and , when I found it in the field before I read up on its potential invasive nature , Bugloss are some of my favourite plants , it would be sinful to not have them at all :3 I'm growing a lot of them from seed this year as well as Forget me Nots , Pincushions and Love in a Mist . There are very few bees in my area or any insects , when I'm up in Yorkshire there are swarms . I think the parks and local schools use pesticides, I don't think it's just because I'm in a city , there is a huge park behind my house. At least they can have a bit of a safe zone at mine :3 
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