Hey everyone! I'm fairly new to gardening and I've got a lot on my mind. We've been battling knotweed in our yard, and I've heard that bamboo can outcompete it and maybe even kill it at the roots. Is this a good solution, or is bamboo more trouble than it's worth? Also, could you recommend any other plants we could use to help tackle the knotweed issue?
On another note, I've always wanted to grow sunflowers but I'm unsure where to start, especially when it comes to maintenance. I have a sunny spot in front of my house, but I know sunflowers can get really tall and unruly. I've heard about pruning them—does that actually help with keeping them from being too leggy?
Additionally, I'd love suggestions for flowers that attract hummingbirds. I've got a few in my garden already, but I'm not great with keeping the feeders full. I heard foxgloves are a hit with hummingbirds but might be invasive—what's your take on that?
Lastly, any tips on milkweed care for attracting monarch butterflies? We have a lot of flowers, and I've noticed some monarchs fluttering around. I want to make sure I'm not planting something that will take over. What do I need to know before adding milkweed to the mix? Thanks for any help!
3 Answers
Bamboo is like releasing gorillas to eat wolves; it could create more problems than you started with. Stick with manageable plants—just don't add to your headaches! As for sunflowers, if you're worried about their height, definitely check out the dwarf varieties. They're perfect for smaller spaces!
Bamboo is a big no-no! It spreads super fast and can take over your yard, causing issues for you and your neighbors. You're better off looking for other plants that might help manage that knotweed without the risk of invasiveness.
For milkweed, it can spread, but it's manageable if you keep an eye on it. I grew mine from seed, and it self-seeds, but it's easy to thin out if it gets too much. Regarding sunflowers, just be aware that most tall varieties need support or they'll flop over, but there are dwarf versions that might suit your front yard better! For hummingbirds, I usually plant deep red or scarlet flowers like monarda and zinnias—they really seem to attract them!
Got it! What would you suggest instead for tackling knotweed?