By the end of July, it's pretty clear which plants are greedy for more garden space. My midsummer garden is flush with too much growth. Masses of moneywort green tendrils have infiltrated the clumps of 'Autumn Joy' sedum. Tall fringed loosestrife have infringed on the feathery foliage of astilbe. But the most nefarious plant is the sweet-looking buttercup primrose, which has vigorously multiplied and smothered everything in its path.
My garden is just too small for prolific perennials to run amok. So I'm continuiusly thinning and dividing, tossing the wandering plants with weeds and garden debris in the compost pile.
Local gardening groups organize scores of popular plant swaps, sales and giveaways in the spring. Why not at the end of July, too?
I wish I could share some of these healthy specimens with appreciative growers who still have holes to fill and don't mind doing it when it's hot and buggy. And next spring, they'll reap the rewards.
What do you do with overzealous plants spreading across your garden? Does your neighborhood hold a midsummer plant swap?
Photos: Dave's Garden and Stepables
