Stop Being So Aggressive!

  Sometimes things are just irritating.  Besides rubbing you the wrong way, they can be downright aggressive.  Weird thing is here, I am talking about a plant.  Aggressive plants do not belong in my garden!  Nope, they are not attacking me...they are attacking everything else in their way.  These things are not invasive as they are native to the eastern part of the country but they aggressive to the point that they are taking over the place.  It all goes back to that "Give it an inch and it will take a mile."  Trumpet Vines are like that.  Let one root, one seed, one tiny speck of a plant get established and they are virtually impossible to eliminate.  I need to do more eliminating....right after these things finish blooming.

  Therein lies the problem.  The blooms are gorgeous and the butterflies and hummingbirds love them.  Since I adore all three...blooms, butterflies and birds, I have a serious problem yanking these things out from the ground.  I love seeing the bright red, tubular blossoms dangling from the vines.  I do not like seeing them dangle from my fruit trees, house, blackberry vines and shed.  The vines can do major damage to other plants since they wrap around and choke it.  Tiny roots extend from the woody part of the vine well away from the rootball.  These root tendrils attach themselves and do severe structural damage to woodwork on buildings.  The underground roots can buckle concrete and pavement.  Plus, the vines can be a skin irritant to some folks.  (At least, I am fortunate in that part since I am the one to wield the ax to chop the vines.)

  Come October, the blooms will fade and I shall be chopping once again.  In a year's time, the vines have taken over the entire back portion of the yard.  This is where the fruit trees and berry vines are planted so seeing the red Trumpet Vine blooms was not something I really wanted to see while out on my hike.   Seeing the hummingbirds fight over the nectar at least eased the frustration.  I have a huge job ahead of me next month!