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Wisteria is a vine that can and should be controlled. Photos by Linda Ardigo

Bridgehampton - I am sure you have been told, as romantic as they may seem at first glance - beware - invasive species, if left uncontrolled can and will limit land use now and into the future.

The longer we ignore the problem the harder and more expensive the battle to control or remove entirely.

What sometimes starts out as a lovely addition to one's landscape surrounding, and possibly even a speedy solution to privacy screening can literally come back to haunt you in years to come.

Knowledge and control are key when it comes to considering an exotic vine or plant.

Wisteria
Wisteria is a vine that can and should be controlled. As wisteria grows, its branches reach far and wide. The trunk stems grow huge and intertwine. The look is enchanting, however if your pergola columns are not built strong enough to withstand the crushing pressure of the mature vine; the result is extremely disappointing and very costly.

Bamboo are large woody grasses, and they put out stems called culms.

If your design plan calls for wisteria to climb and cover a pergola (custom built shade area), a shade area which is generally used for entertaining and weather protection, you had better see to it that the pillars/posts are secured in cement at least four feet deep into the ground. This, along with good custom construction, will give you the perfect structure for your wisteria to climb, and grow profusely. Always remember that vines that are invasive tend to pick up growing momentum when established. So a regular maintenance program of pruning and clipping all unwanted trailer vines cut as close to the root collar as possible is highly recommended.

The major pruning for wisteria, which is a late spring bloomer, is early spring and then sometimes if needed during late summer in order to keep it shaped to your liking.

Bamboo
Bamboo are large woody grasses. They put out stems called culms each year. The plant size ranges from field grass to giants of 120 feet (actually, as tall as a 12-story building). No other living thing grows so tall so fast. Bamboo renews itself every three to five years. No need to replant. They keep on coming.

St. John's Wort can be a serious problem if not controlled.

One of the best recommendations for harnessing bamboo in a designated area is to submerge a PVC or concrete wall down into the earth along the borderline of the desired bamboo bed. This may sound expensive and time consuming, but trust me well worth it in the long run.

Clumping bamboos are non-invasive because their rhizome system expands very slowly each year and the culms grow in a close clump. Clumping bamboo likes partial shade. It is suggested that you plant on the north side of your property in a woodland setting. To find out more on bamboo, check the American Bamboo Society's website: (www.bamboo.org).

St. Johns Wort
St. John Wort is native to Eurasia, and is a serious problem in parts of the West where it actually displaces native plants that are important to maintaining soil nutrients and water cycling.

It starts out so lovely as a bright yellow flowering plant, to a rapidly expanding (take no prisoners) invasive plant. Make no mistake, St. John's Wort can wipe out a garden. This lovely flowering tall ground cover must be managed in order to enjoy its resilient and colorful beauty.

All in all, invasive plants and vines need a vigilant watch.

Your gardens should continue to thrive and give you great pleasure under such caring and knowlegable conditions, while you are are the master of its direction.

•Linda Ardigo is the founder and Creative Landscape Designer of Linda Gardens Corp. with offices in Bridgehampton, New York City and Italy. Linda begins many projects by consulting with clients in order to begin "The First Phase" efficiently. The first phase sometimes calls for collaborating with contractors and suppliers on site, integrating her designs and supervision regarding architectural and aesthetic details, including masonry, pool and entertainment areas, pool houses, arbors, driveway entrances, and lighting design. To view more of Linda's gardens visit the following website at www.lindagardens.com

Comments

Guest (Mary) from Montauk ny says:
You had the only well informed web site. Thank you. I recently saw Bamboo growing in a beautiful large patch in a driveway. Where does this come from? Since there were so many indian tribes, is it possible that the resourceful indians possibly planted this? Or....does it just grow wild out on eastern Long Island? Thanks.....

Guest (Becky) from Northampton says:
I love your column--so very helpful. Glad to know when I can get out and trim my wisteria so it stops taking over!

Guest (Laura) from Huntington says:
Thanks for that information. I never would have guessed that wisteria was that evasive. Maybe not exotic but another to ad to the list is morning glories. I keep pulling them out and they keep coming back everywhere. We planted them in a location to hide a fence and they have sprung up everywhere! Can't keep up with it now. Any suggestions let me know. Thanks for this great article Linda.

Guest (Judy) from East Hampton says:
You keep on coming' !!! Love your columns, such good info Seems like the deer are pruning the Sy John's Wort these daze. They trimmed EVERYTHING this year, Rhodes, Hollies, Bamboo... even the Keria Japonica UGH

Guest (Cheryl) from Westhampton says:
How informative and well written!! Thanks for the information. It's always good to know!

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