Comments on: Contact

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 23:39:24 +0000

Nancy,

Even though trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is native to the eastern US, as you noted it is quite aggressive. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any way fool-prof way to contain it. I’m not sure where you garden, but if its in NE, you might want to check out this post on Native Plants Wildlife Gardens that looks at some native vines. You might find an alternative here: http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/southern-new-englands-native-vines/.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:24 +0000

Hi Debbie,

I have a very small yard with a trellis on the back fence, I’d like to plant something on the trellis that would be attractive and also help with privacy. I was planning on planting a trumpet vine since the area only gets partial sun but i’m concerned about the invasive quality. Is there some way to contain the plant to keep it from spreading in unwanted areas? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you, Nancy

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:05:08 +0000

Hi Stacy,

To my knowledge, Acanthus mollis is not invasive in Connecticut. Here’s a link to the most current CT Invasive plant list: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/cipwg/pdfs/CTInvasivePlantList2011-ScientificName.pdf.

Depending on where in Connecticut you live, Acanthus mollis may not be hary for you. It is is considered hardy to zone 6 but parts of CT are in zones 5a where Acanthus would be grown as an annual.

While I have seen Acanthus moliis in nurseries, it’s certainly not readily available (at least not here in Stamford) so you may have to really look for it if you do decide to grow it.

Good luck.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 20:07:21 +0000

Hi Debbie,
Do you know if Acanthus Mollis is invasive in CT? It doesn’t appear on any of the invasive species lists I can find, but I find mentions of it being invasive in a lot of gardening forums.
thanks!

By: Judith

Judith — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:48:41 +0000

OK — Kousa dogwood off the list and American holly on! I have enough plants that deer like — don’t need any more!
Thanks.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:09:40 +0000

Hi Judith, Technically, yes, a kousa dogwood could be grown as a tall shrub and would work for screening most of the year. However, at maturity, it will be @ 25′ tall and will be so large that you may no longer be able to maintain it as a shrub. Also, it is not reliably deer resistant. Have you given thought to using American holly (Ilex opaca)? It is evergreen, won’t need to be pruned to retain a shrub habit, thrives in full sun – full shade and is deer resistant. Just a thought.

By: Judith

Judith — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 15:46:28 +0000

I was very impressed with the picture of the row of cornus kousa. Can it be grown as a (tall) shrub? Still on my quest for “shrubs” to make a backdrop for my perennial garden and hide the neighboring woods.
Thanks,
Judith

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 02 May 2011 23:57:42 +0000

Hi Kathleen, I have some quick questions for you before I can offer suggestions. I’ll email them to you.

By: Kathleen Gaughran

Kathleen Gaughran — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:54:14 +0000

Good morning,
When you have time, I would appreciate your answering this question: Is there a pyramidal, dwarf, shade tolerant evergreen that would thrive in a planter along the Connecticut shoreline?
Thanks.
Kay

By: Debbie

Debbie — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:45:15 +0000

Hi Theresa, Wow, that’s a lot of annuals! The first thing I’d suggest is talking to a local independent garden center and asking them. Deer preferences can be so geographically specific, what my deer eat my not be appelaing to the ones near you. Having said that, here are a few annauls that are considered deer resistant: snapdragon, nasturtium, french marigold, nicotiana, lantana, cleome, ageratum. Good luck!