Photo by Bernadette Vangool Goutweed competing with raspberries and lilacs at the edge of the garden. Bernadette Vangool I realized recently that much of my yard is populated by “aggressive” species such as ferns, lilacs and cornflower, thus adding to the maintenance required to keep everything in check. This was especially true this year, with our adequate rainfall, when even my border perennials appeared more robust and perhaps also “invasive”.
Here are a few aggressives that may even rival the creeping bellflower ( Campanula rapunculoides ) in some yards. Lily of the valley (Convallaria majolis), in its preferred habitat of moist well drained soil and partial shade, can be quite a beast, forming dense mats of foliage, which nothing else can penetrate. Native to the Northern Hemispheres of Asia and Europe, it is very similar to American lily of the valley (Convallaria majolis var.
Montana ), discovered in 1948, and native to eastern North America. Experts love to debate about this one, as it is very similar and many cannot differentiate between the two species. Each plant has two ovate leaves with pointed tips along a main stem, and grows to about 20 cm in height.
The flowers, usually between 8 and 16 dainty white cups nodding on the central stem bloom in May and June. Their fragrance is heavenly and their dainty appearance make them a prominent flower in spring wedding bouquets. A favourite flower of our late Queen Elizabeth II, it is also the national flower of Yu.