Is this the black scallop variety of ajuga reptans? Maybe. But, it could also be the burgundy glow cultivar of ajuga reptans. Although calling it a cultivar may be too generous. Also known as bugleweed, ajuga reptans is a ground cover that can quickly become an invasive nightmare.
I don't remember the purple leaves of this ground cover in any lawn when I was a child. Today, here in my London, Ontario, neighbourhood, it is everywhere.
Am I going to work to eliminate it from my lawn. My neighbours will apply pressure to encourage me to get rid of it. I will bow to the pressure but I am beginning to question the wisdom of expending a lot of energy doing battle with highly successful plants. I'm beginning to think we backed a loser when we decided to grow grass.
Think of creeping charlie or ground ivy. Native to Europe, it was brought to North America as a garden plant with a pleasant scent when cut. It quickly became a headache, forming dense mats of vegetation in lawns and elsewhere which resisted removal. It grew, expanding its territory, without our help. Any plant like that is a weed and war was declared.
Creeping charlie, bugleweed and even clover were all once treasured plants. In some places bugleweed is still be sold. I confess to be fond of clover in my lawn. Why? It's green even when the rest of the lawn is yellow from lack of rain. It looks good from a distance.
Maybe we should let the plants growing wild in our lawns fight it out and let the best plant win. I wouldn't put much money on grass coming out on top.
No comments:
Post a Comment