Chelmsford MA 5/13/2013: Several members of the loosestrife crime family escaped from a maximum security facility in Chelmsford, Massachusetts during the darkening days of fall 2012. Under the cover of falling oak leaves they made good their escape into the surrounding garden. Incarcerated for crimes of invasiveness the fugitives crawled over the prison walls where they have been incarcerated for over 14 years. Fortunately their escape was foiled by their desire for sunlight and to bully local flowers. Their distinctive leaves and the trail of their tunneling soon led to their capture. loosestrife make their escape ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) They are now in custody awaiting a new facility. Escapees Captured ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) The Gooseneck Loosestrife Story http://www.gardenstew.com/blog/e10953-2 ... rison.html Jerry
This stuff makes me crazy. Every year, I remove buckets-full of the roots and foliage. I just whip it out as it comes up, but can never get an entire root...and of course if one leaves the smallest bit of root, the cyclus begins all over again, expanding throughout the winter seemingly. The blooms are attractive, but I never see a bee or butterfly on them. One can be lulled into letting them stay until they have stopped blooming, but that is a mistake. Sorry to hear that you have them wandering about in your garden, Jerry.
All known plants of this species are in pots. They are monitored for escapees. After the results of the first year I had this plant was warning enough. The roots were carefully removed by first removing the soil, revealing the entire root and then removing the root without breaking it. http://www.gardenstew.com/blog/e10953-2 ... rison.html Jerry
Hi Jerry,..they tried but were detected and foiled,..such a nice display of blooms but soooooo invasive.
Too bad you can't set the deer or rabbits upon them. They all deserve each other. (Forgive me,I just discovered that deer & rabbits have munched some of my coice perennials, so I am a bit cheesed off with them).
