ID would be great
I bought these when they were tiny in 3" pots and thought I'd see how much they would spread maybe around paving stones. There was no label on them and I forgot to ask what they were.
I can't edge my little patch of grass because a few years ago I made pebble paths without putting edging in first. Over the years the pebbles sunk into the soil and the grass untidily grows over the pebbles. I wasn't strong enough to dig the pebbles up and now neither a spade nor a lawn edger can be used as they just hit layers of pebbles.
My lazy idea was to plant these little green things spaced out in the actual remains of the pebble paths and stand tallish pots in between - my sort of cheap shabby French look or something. It looks ragged but I really like it and makes me feel it takes away a bit from the mess of the no lawn edging!
I'd like to know what these little green cress-like plants are because I haven't been able to find any more and I'd like to duplicate this look in another messy patch. My lazy gardener approach maybe - but it was a quick fix when I just don't have the energy to deal with the pebbles.
Anyone know what they are called? They have grown into little mounds about 4" high and have spread to about 8" wide. I'm also assuming they're likely annuals ? and are not likely to survive the winter where I've planted them.
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I like about this.
Looks like Mind-your-own-business (Soleirolia soleirolii), they just keep spreading out, i have a couple, and love the look, but think they may be hard to get rid of if you wanted to!! And mine survived the Yorkshire winter fine
I think 'mind your own business' too, unless they have a scent of creme de menthe, in which case they might be Corsican Mint. Both good in paving cracks etc but the first one is a devil if it escapes into the flowerbed or into the lawn. If it were me I would yank them out now before while they are still in mounds and not on their way to the other side of the garden!
I had no idea it was so invasive - it looks so deceptively innocent. The little mounds seem to have stopped spreading outwards for the moment. I haven't detected any odour and when I crushed a chunk it smelled of weed - not very pleasant. They are lovely and spongey - I keep standing on one which I have in a space between pavings. I'd better keep an eye out for their habit adamadamant and Jason. Thanks for the warnings.
aym280 - 'quaint' - that's me really. A sometime quaint curmudgeon - but I do like them in between the pots. Thank you.
Last edited: 09 June 2016 01:15:10
Planted mine last summer, this is now so the spread seems to be at a nice gradual pace, and I love the look
Yes, definitely mind your pwn business a very hardy perennial weed, looks nice and does like the cracks in paths but don't let it get into the border or it runs amok. In my garden it's actually trying to spread up into some ivy, it covers anything in its way. Beware!
It just cannot 'mind its own business' which is why it needs careful consideration before planting it! I have variegated ground elder (on purpose!) under my red sycamore tree, where it lights up the area beautifully - but I know it must never escape those harsh conditions. It tries to hitch a lift in pots now and again, but so far I have caught it out. All flowers are removed as soon as they show their heads, and so far, so good. You will need to be equally on the ball with your solaria - it does make a wonderful looking 'Japanese' look garden e.g., but don't let it escape into good soil or light - you cannot keep up with it. Meantime, enjoy.
I've decided to err on the side of caution and adhere to the warnings above. I had a quick look by lifting up the sides of the newly planted ones between my tall pots - and saw enough of bits spreading underneath to think I'd better remove them from where I'd planted them. Too much scope for spreading to the wrong place!
I will find a container of some sort - hopefully an old stone thing which could be effective with some spread - but not to escape. They look so lovely - but I'm too negligent to keep a watchful eye. So container it will be.
Thanks to everyone for the input. If I'd left them there would certainly have been future problems to come. Dumped in a plastic bin for now!
Last edited: 10 June 2016 22:24:52