Lambs Ears/gardening

[7165red]

I thought we had a gardening forum, I don't see one, so I post here. I have lambs ears that are taking over my garden. I pull some out last yr and planted several perennials and the lambs ears have just grown over them. I havn't had a chance to do some grooming. How do I stop them from taking over. I do want some and I do like them but they have a life of their own. Advice needed!

 

[luvmy3]

I know what you mean, I ended up having to dig mine up because they were taking over. I never really looked for another option, I hope there is one for you, they are such pretty flowers.

 

[shortbun]

I had this problem and dug them up and threw them away. I'll never plant them again.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You just have to dig them out constantly. If you don't want them taking over you will have to rip them out.

I planted bugle weed last yr and ripped it out and ITS BACK.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I can't grow lamb's ears. I love them but can't grow them.

I am overtaken by columbine.......

 

[denisem]

I've never grown lambs ears, but there are some perennials that can become invasive, particularly when planted in their "happy space" (optimum soil, sun & moisture).

If you have one running rampant, not much you can do besides:

a) Constantly keep it groomed and pulling roots/shoots
b) Destroying it totally
c) I've heard of some people successfully planting certain plants in sunken pots or surrounded by landscape edging to corral them. Again, this depends on how the particular plant reproduces (some can fling their seeds several feet away or root under an edging).

I am too lazy to try "c".

 

[7165red]

Thanks for all your replys. It's really funny sometimes you have to work so hard to keep a plant growing and flowering and these plant just run wild.

 

[LuvOrlando]

iwas going to suggest sunken pots. I have done it before with success but not recently in my new landscaping. I love Lilly of the Vally but don't have any because of this, I think I may get some nice large containers and put some in soon.

can you try to salvage a few plants for containers, kill off everything in the ground with chemicals then start over with sod?

 

[dmank]

I can't grow lamb's ears. I love them but can't grow them.

I am overtaken by columbine.......

I would take columbine over lambs ears any day of the week!!

 

[LilyWDW]

I love the look of lambs ear... but I hate that darn plant.

 

[cabanafrau]

You just have to dig them out constantly. If you don't want them taking over you will have to rip them out.

I planted bugle weed last yr and ripped it out and ITS BACK.

I didn't realize lambs ear did this. It's not really something I'm attracted to, but it is good to know.

The bugle weed made me curious so I looked it up -- I like. Right now I don't have a square inch I could put it, but I like. My husband will kill me if I get yet another plant I keep moving around & splitting. I had stuff I was reserving for a friend & her daughter, but wouldn't you know it the friend is moving next month & her daughter just had a baby last week. Not good timing for moving the plants. My husband just rolled his eyes when I shuffled & split, not bearing to throw anything out.

My name is Cabanafrau & I am an addict. Recognizing my problem helps solve it, right?

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I would take columbine over lambs ears any day of the week!!

Didn't realize how self seeding columbine was........