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Phygelius capensis (cape figwort) - beware!

didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
in Plants
I planted this a few years ago then, sad to say, neglected my garden for a few years whilst I was running my shop.  But now I'm back and am dismayed that this plant completely took over the front garden.  I'm having new turf laid and am digging new borders but most of my prep work is digging out phygelius roots.  It's hard work and I didn't get them all the first two goes and have just put in another few hours digging out more.  It seems it can root from the tiniest bit of root and I'm fulling expecting to be cutting off shoots for at least the next year.  We have ground elder in another part of the garden - a doddle compared with this stuff!  Anyone else discovered with an horrific thug this plant is? None of the nurseries selling it give a warning as to how invasive it is.
Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
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  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Agree with you there!  I’d rather did ground elder at least it’s shallow rooted and you can easily trace it along. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Me😠
    It was an absolute bugger to get out but I won in the end
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    It looks so pretty though. I have a soft spot for fuchsia.
    My thug plant is mahonia. So spiky and yellow roots running everywhere. I haven’t won over it yet.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    My phygelius is a thug too, it just won't stay where it was put and gardening magazines and websites often recommend it and never tell you how it spreads.

    I don't like Mahonia either, nasty prickly stuff. I dug one out and it was back just as tall in 2 years.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited July 2020
    Acanthus should come with an asbo too.
    At least fuchsias stay where they are while they get bigger and bigger
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    Eeek - I've just planted an acanthus!  I'll have to keep a close eye on it.


    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I sowed Acanthus seeds a few years ago still waiting for them to flower, huge great leaves though! 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Mrs-B3-Southampton,-HantsMrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants Posts: 732
    My phygelius went round the corner and up into the camellia about 10' as well as invading the lawn.
    Southampton 
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    Lady's Mantle, a little pink violet with no scent, Creeping Jenny,monbretia and a lovely velvety mint which grows to about 3ft are all plants which invade my garden with great enthusiasm and energy. I have tried to avoid buying any plants which have the word "vigorous" in the description. I take that to mean invasive.
  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,718
    I have Phygelius, it certainly needs keeping in check, nice enough if you can do that.
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