A Dirty Dozen - Plants to keep out of your garden!

Keeping invasives out - to make room for these beauties!

I'm making my spring garden to-do list and I notice that many of the tasks involve getting rid of plants rather than planting them! These are my "dirty dozen" of plants I wish had never rooted on my land. Managing these highly aggressive / invasive species is a major chore.  These plants expand via fast-growing roots or rhizomes or expel dozens of seeds annually. So over time you may get much more than you planned!  Many of these are plants I purchased at garden centers or picked up free online through Craigslist or similar sources. Getting plants free should have been my clue that these plants go CRAZY!  Others I inherited with the garden when I first moved in- nearly 12 years ago, this challenge started with Bishops Weed and honey suckle. I pulled them out, cut them down and still they return year after year. I spray them and abuse them. They can be very B-A-D. I'm still at it - and there is not much left. Man some of those roots are tenacious! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Clearly the former owner of my house LOVED her buckthorn and honeysuckle greatly. Fellow gardeners in my neighborhood love some of these and readily take up the debate as to why I'm pulling them out. My response is always that they are taking space, resources and time from the plants that I really want to flourish in my garden.

So, here's my "Dirty Dozen" of plants I would like to bite the dust and never return. Your experience may vary - but I encourage you to think twice about putting any of these in your garden.

Outrageous Orchids! (Flower Show Review)

I visited the Orchid Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This was a wonderful respite from the snowy day. As a friend said - this winter White is the new Black. :D  I very much enjoyed seeing all the bright colors of the orchids.  I recall the first time I ever saw an Orchid was at the Joaquin Antonio Uribe Botanic Garden of Medellin, Colombia.  I was 12 years old and the 34 acre botanical garden in the middle of the city was so impressive! More so was the massive collection of orchids in the unique architectural space called the Orchidiarium. All I can say is that it was simultaneously overwhelming, impressive and memorable.  While the exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden pales in comparison - it's much easier to get to than Colombia, and well worth the visit!

Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show - 2014

2014 Upcoming Flower and Garden Shows - Midwest

This weekend I visited the Orchid show at the Chicago Botanic Garden - which made me think about updating the list of events that culminate in the beginning of spring and ethnic fest etc. in Chicago. 

As I did last year, here is a listing of events from Iowa - Wisconsin - Illinois - Michigan.  All links and information was accurate as of 2/17/2014  If you find other shows or errors herein please note in comments! Thank you

Heart shaped leaf with promise of Spring

Even my dog is tired of the winter!

• Chicago - Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show - January 26 - May 12
• Chicago - Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show - February 1 - May 12 (plus show for Morther's day in renovated Show House)
• Grand Rapids, MI - Great Lakes Floral Exposition – March 7-9 (For Industry Professionals floral design. It could smell great and be interesting)
• Orlanda, FL - March 6 - March 5 - May 18 The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will be held at the Epcot Theme Park in Orlando, Florida. This is a great show for any flower lover!  If you just have to get away from the cold! 
• Indianapolis, IN – Indiana Flower and Patio Show – March 8 – 16, Indiana Fairgrounds
• Milwaukee, WI - Quilt Show - Putting the Pieces Together,  March 14-15, Mt. Mary College
• Quad Cities - Flower and Garden Show March 21 - 23
• Chicago - Chicago Flower and Garden Show - March 15-23
• Madison, WI – Olbrich Botanic Gardens, Spring Flower Show – March 9 – 24 (I hear great things about this Botanic Garden and want to get back up to that area.)
• Chicago – Macy Flower Show, Tower of Flowers – March 27 – April 10
• Madison, WI – MacKenzie Center Maple Syrup Festival – April 6 (This type of event with reenactment is always fun for the young at heart)
• Chicago - Macy's Chicago Flower Show - March 23 - April 6 This year's theme, the Secret Garden
• Glencoe (Chicago Botanic Garden)- Midwest Daffodil Society Show  Mar 23-24
• Naperville – The Festival of Colors – April 5 (expand cultural horizons by participating in this traditional festival, I think it expands in attendance a bit each year. Never been. Photos on the site look like a rave with paint. Fun.)
• Glencoe (Chicago Botanic Garden) - Illinois Orchid Society Spring Show  April 6-7
• Glencoe (Chicago Botanic Garden) - Midwest Daffodil Society Show  April 26 - 27
• Pella, IA – Pella Tulip Festival – May 1-3 (I oworked in Pella and was there for part of the Tulip Festival, stayed at a great B&B. City gets really crowded and lots of excitement. Book accommodations early if you plan on going.)
• Holland, MI – Tulip Time Festival – May 3 – 10 (Still naot made it here. This year Bill Cosby is on the list of entertainers! WOW Oddly never made it to the Holland Tulip Festival, been through Holland area and love antique shopping on the Red Arrow Highway!)
• Waupun, WI – Horicon Marsh Bird Festival – May 9-12 (I have Horicon Marsh on my list of places to see on road trip or weekend get away. lots of Birding activities here.)

Today I'm recalling those beautiful orchids and thinking of spring!

Teresa Marie