Veronica chamaedrys: Height: 10-35 cm (4-14 in.). Stem ascending-erect, opposite sides hairy. Flower: Corolla almost regular (actinomorphic), bright blue-purple, dark-striped in middle, 10-12 mm (0.4-0.48 in.) broad, fused, 4-lobed, wheel-shaped, short-tubed. Calyx 4-lobed, lobes linear, with glandular hairs . Stamens 2. Pistil a fused carpel. Inflorescence a lax, axillary raceme. Racemes often in pairs. Flower-stalk longer than subtending bracts. Leaves: Opposite, lowest short-stalked, others stalkless. Blade ovate, with blunt base, both sides hairy, large-toothed. Fruit: Cordate, flat, shorter than broad, shorter than calyx, hairy capsule. Veronica persica: Height: 5-30 cm (2-12 in.). Stem limp-ascending, sparsely haired. Flower: Corolla almost regular (actinomorphic), blue, 8-12 mm (0.32-0.48 in.) wide, fused, 4-lobed, wheel-shaped, short-funnelled. Calyx 4-lobed, lobes lanceolate, with tapered tips, do not overlap, hairy along edges, otherwise glabrous. Stamens 2. Gynoecium fused, single-styled. Flowers solitary in leaf axils. Flower-stalk longer than subtending bract, descending oblique in fruiting stage. Leaves: Opposite, short-stalked. Blade widely ovate, light green, large-toothed. Fruit: Very widely notched, flattish, twice as long as wide, net-veined, capsule only with glandular hairs. http://www.topwalks.net/plants/blue/veronica_persica_01.htm http://www.florasilvestre.es/mediterranea/Antirrhinaceae/Veronica_persica.htm Here is a link that might be useful: Veronica chamaedrys

Well, I am in Michigan, and the Michigan Plant Invasiveness Assessment System (June 2008) lists it as not problematic here, but does acknowledge the problems it has caused elsewhere: There are no reports of it being identified in the wild (this does not include cultivated gardens) in my county, either -- http://michiganflora.net/species.aspx?id=808 I have a small amount of it in two flower beds, with no trees for it to climb (though it is growing up into a purple-leaved barberry in the bed... that'll be fun and painful to sort out). It seems pretty content clinging to the house in this spot, and I like it there. Shouldn't be difficult to keep it trimmed and contained where it is. This is nothing compared to the invasiveness of the japanese knotweed in the back corner of the lot.

Plumbago sort of pulls you in with it's tropical icy blue flowers that bloom almost all year, and if you forget to water it, it rewards you with more pretty flowers. When did plumbago become a noxious weed? About a year after we planted it on our slope. It's climbed over fences, completely grown over other large plants, and grown up and tangled itself through italian cypress trees more than 30 feet tall. It's popped up in neighbor's yards across the street and several houses away, just guessing by seeds, oh, those stinkin' little seeds!!! We've picked off millions of them from our skin, socks, clothes, cats, etc. If it hasn't reached your house yet, give it just a little more time. It's on it's way and will surely get there. Anyone want it for free? I'm in Walnut, near Pomona. Email me and you can come and take all you can fit in your car, and come back as often as you like, lol. Linda

You know, that's a really compact clump of yucca- instead of fighting it, why not use it along with the cedar and other shrub as winter backbone? They do have nice fragrant white blooms in summer. If it were spread out or a huge clump, i'd fuss with it, but if you're wanting to make life simple... leave it be. I'd say it depends on the compost whether you till it in. If it seems like it has a good bit of earthy stuff for the plants to dig into, then no, but if it's more top dressing stuff, perhaps till in half and top with compost. The quality can vary year to year and by the time of year, depending on what they are shredding and composting. If you're in wake co, you will need to find a truck/hauler to haul it for you, but the compost itself is fairly cheap- like 30 a big truckload full. City runs 2 for 1 specials sometimes, too. Meaning pay for 1 load, get the second free that same day- but you'd still need to pay for hauling. You could do a lasagna type bed- layer on newspaper, ect, and build up with out messing with tilling at all. There's been a good bit posted about it, and there are at least 2 books. It really does work if you have a little patience/time. There is a thread for the swap on the exchanges forum. It should have the where what when info- tho i can tell you quickly it's may 8th, at white deer park in garner. Doesn't matter if you're a newb. We always have some. Just bring some good food and anything you have to spare that you think gardeners could use- pots, hoses, rocks, etc. Even shallow boxes would be appreciated as folks always need them to haul away their new found goodies.