I have adenophora lilifolia, Ladybells, coming up everywhere. It gets worse every year. I did not plant them. They just showed up uninvited. At first I thought they were pretty and how lucky I was that they came to my yard. Then they started trying to take over the place. They are now the worst thugs in my garden. They come up in sun or shade, moist or dry areas, rich or poor soil - just everywhere. I have spoken to them very sternly about their bad behavior to no avail.
Seriously, is there any way to be rid of them. I pull and dig with little result. I would keep a few but I know they won't behave.
adenophora lilifolia
Chris,
I believe I had Adenophora confusa in Dayton, Ohio. Someone gave it to me and said it had nice purple flowers. Much to my dismay, it ran rampant even including entering my lawn last year. I yanked as much as I could last fall and sure enough, it was back this spring. In another area where I had it, one of my Shelties used to eat the basal leaves. I left it there so she would have a varied diet! When looking in the Plant Files, I noticed so many species of it and all so similar to each other. I wouldn't want any of those, would you?
Karin
Adenophera is closely related to Campanula, which some people also report some species as being weedy. Both grow easily from very tiny and countless seeds they produce. The trick is to get the plant pulled or at least cut back before they flower and go to seed. Any basal or remaining foliage can be zapped with a squirt of Roundup, and that should do it.
Scott