Invasive Beauties

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knees Washington, DC(Zone 7a) May 14, 2004

I jusr read the lengthy discussion on Bishop's Weed and did not realize what a "pest" it is. I am considering redesigning the bed in which I planted it last year. I do not risk losing anemonies or astilbe's over Bishops' Weed's varigated beauty.

However: the real menace in my yard is the Jerusalem Artichoke (helianthus tuberosus). I cannot keep on top of pulling out the young plants. The tubers must dig deeper than 6 inches and certainly run further than 2 feet to find some daylight. If they weren't so very beautiful in late summer when everthing else is just about gone! From the discussion of B. Weed, I assume there is no other way of eradicating a tuber, short of pulling and digging. I can't imagine how many containers of spray I would need to kill my artichokes. Just letting off steam and hoping for some advice. Thanks

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poppysue Westbrook, ME(Zone 5a) May 14, 2004

When we first put my border in we tilled over patch of Jerusalem artichokes that were growing wild. Big mistake! I have finally gotten most of them out of the bed by constantly pulling them. I still have the wild ones that grow behind the border. They are kept under control with the lawn mower and I keep a 4 foot strip mowed between them and my garden. They do make a lovely back drop for the garden in late summer.

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leaflady Hughesville, MO(Zone 5a) May 18, 2004

I would love to have some Jerusalem Artichoke. Lost ours a few years ago and haven't been able to find them again. They are so good to eat either raw or cooked. We did keep them in an old cattle tank with no bottom.

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gardenwife Newark, OH(Zone 5b) May 19, 2004

I'd never heard of Jerusalem Artichokes before - had to look them up. I think I have seen them, now that I look at the pictures. http://www.holoweb.com/cannon/jerusale.htm

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eje San Francisco, CA(Zone 10a) May 21, 2004

They are sometimes called "Sunchokes" in the produce sections of our grocery store these days. You could probably buy a packet of tubers and plant them, as long as they weren't treated with some sort of sprout retardent.

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