Thugs in the Garden

        Don't turn your back on the ocean.  Don't turn your back on a roomful of kindergartners.  These are given.  But why oh why, did someone not warn me about the thugs in the garden?

    These plants look so harmless with claims of being a vigorous grower.  But do not be fooled, they do not play nicely with others.         

       One of the bullies I contend with in the late winter is Lamiastrum, not to be confused with Lamium.  The former spreads all over the flowerbed with contentious yellow flowers smothering every sweet endearing perennial in its' tracks.  While the latter has wonderful flowers of pink, white, or lavender, and remains compact without hindering any other plants' growth.

      I know you all have your own particular thug you contend with, but if you are lucky enough not too, some garden center red flags are:  Labeled aggressive and vigorous; and shoots growing on the bottom of the pot.  If you come across any of these red flags, 'just say no,' for the sake of your other well-behaved plant children.