tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205789828720292919.post7145828502052692498..comments2023-05-07T05:45:56.854-04:00Comments on The Violet Fern: Going Native: In the Dark About NightshadeKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694829333592209275noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205789828720292919.post-77041548609416204472011-06-04T12:07:03.786-04:002011-06-04T12:07:03.786-04:00I 2 fell in love with the beautiful berries and pu...I 2 fell in love with the beautiful berries and purple flowers of the mysterious vining plant growing on my chain link fence. I later found out it was bittersweet nightshade. I only just learned that nightshade is extremely poisonous to humans. Just do an online search for nightshade-free food and you will read what I mean! It's frightening. I definitely plan to rip it out very carefullyRuthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15295389450580054456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205789828720292919.post-19116745338003593672011-02-25T23:58:07.048-05:002011-02-25T23:58:07.048-05:00I agree, it's quite a dilemma. I planted nativ...I agree, it's quite a dilemma. I planted natives and gave them a chance to mature before I took out the exotics (luckily, Blue Elderberry grows very quickly, so the cotoneaster was a goner pretty soon). So glad you've thinking of this change for the good.Town Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09777461911856383480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205789828720292919.post-65426718425482663532011-02-25T19:18:08.374-05:002011-02-25T19:18:08.374-05:00I have often admired those flowers in a nearby woo...I have often admired those flowers in a nearby woodland, but had been unaware that it was non-native. Thank you for sharing with us! I do think that your plan to phase it out is a good one. I remember, when I totally loved Verbascum thapsis and then found out that it makes over a 100,000 seeds that can live for decades. I had to rip it out~gailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205789828720292919.post-50791822092482408532011-02-25T09:34:45.200-05:002011-02-25T09:34:45.200-05:00Oh Dear! VF, I would do what you are suggesting an...Oh Dear! VF, I would do what you are suggesting and if you want to feed the bumblebees, but not let the berries spread their seeds, you could cut it back after flowering. I know that would be hard but it would keep it from spreading via the beautiful berries. If this plant is not on the invasive lists, I would not be too concerned. If you see it as spreading too fast in your garden, then maybe more action (cutting back) is called for. We all have non native plants in our gardens as Alan shares and the balance is a worthy cause to work upon. That is my take on it. I am sure you will continue to care for the environment with the same wisdom and concern you always do.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01067132532095325169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8205789828720292919.post-33509057203440231432011-02-24T17:54:11.084-05:002011-02-24T17:54:11.084-05:00I think I'd do what you plan on doing -- reduc...I think I'd do what you plan on doing -- reduce it a little, keep it from spreading, but leave it until you no longer need it. I feel like there's a good balance a gardener can strike between native and non-native plants.Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13393082652312828458noreply@blogger.com