After six or seven years, many plants in my garden are fully matured and have grown into big bullies! Lately I’ve notice a couple trouble-makers who are pushing out their smaller, less aggressive neighbors.

For instance, this Aster, which I’ve cut back twice earlier this year, is huge! There used to be a couple mums resting at its feet, but they are suspiciously missing.

I’ve battled this Persicaria for years. I should know better:  its known to be invasive, spreading my rhizomes. In the past, I’ve successfully maintained it by pulling out the unwanted rhizomes after cutting it back in the fall. However, since having my son there is less time to maintain and in turn its gone berserk. My plan is to dig it up this fall, bury some bottomless buckets or pots and replant the rhizomes in the buckets. I’ve heard this is a good way to restrict aggressive plants.

I have to take some sort of action. I saved this poor Penstemon from a choke-hold the Persicaria had on it last month. Poor guy still hasn’t fully recovered from the attack.  Why not just get rid of the Persicaria all together? Well, I really like this plant other than its bullish attitude. The flowers are long lasting and a stunning vibrant magenta, and it provides great height.

In the same bed, I have this gigantic sedum. This guy is less aggressive and more just…BIG.

Its so enormous that its not strong enough to hold up the weight of its own flower heads! A couple good rains and it went limp.

My goal for this fall is to divide and conquer these garden bullies. No more Misses Nice Guy, you plants are going to shape up! I’m sure with a little TLC we can all get along.