Disappointing Invasion

When I began my garden here in upstate New York two years ago I gave myself a rule, "No Invasives Allowed." They may have been eye-catching, I may have enjoyed them briefly, but they became overwhelmingly difficult as they attempted a coup of my Pittsburgh garden. They are the ones that gardeners are only too happy to give away to new and innocent gardeners. They are the ones sold by the buckets at local fund-raising "plant sales." Bee balm, evening primrose, ajuga, nepeta, gooseneck loosestrife (oooooh, how I loved that one). The perennial pictured above is Achillea Pearl. It was so well behaved in my Pittsburgh clay soil that I never cast aspersions on it. I loved the bright splash of white here and there. And so I planted it in three spots in my garden here. Uh-Oh. The sandy soil brought out its inhibitions. In this early Spring it is invading all territories near it, attempting to make 2011 the year it conquers all of its neighbors - the lavender, the veronica, the scabiosa and anything else it can stretch its young tendrils towards. And so sadly, it it has to be tossed aside like last year's prom queen. In the light of day I may take heart and toss it near the wood's edge where its free will can be respected. Who knows, it may find the mint that I tossed back there last year.