I am wondering what the general consensus amongst gardeners is about this topic. As I consider plants to be living things, simply pulling them out and turfing them on the trash heap seems wrong to me. But I’ve noticed that landscapers do this without any hesitation, so I am wondering whether its considered PC to do this? I have a few “areas” and plants in my garden that I’ve lived with for some time now and I just don’t like them. What to do? I feel almost as if I was given a puppy for Christmas that gets on my nerves and now I want to ship him off to the nearest shelter … Please tell me its not the same thing? What is the correct way of dealing with unwanted plants that are thriving in one’s garden?
Here are the things I’m not loving in my garden:
[one_half]Higgeldy Piggedy Lavender Dentata
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[one_half_last]Plectranthus “Mona Lavender”
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1). Lavender dentata that was planted in a row in the flower bed beside our pool. Each plant seems to do its own thing, grows in a different way and direction, the result is a border of lavender plants that I don’t think look at all attractive. Its a bit of a higgeldy piggledy mess.There are ten of these I’m thinking of pulling out.
2). Plectranthus “Mona Lavender” has soft stems that just break off all the time – just walking past it seems to damage them. They look very bare and uninteresting now that the season is changing and even when they are bloomimg and full in summer … well, lets just say I am not a fan. I don’t mind having a few of them mixed in with the other plants in the back, shade garden (I have a lot there too), but I don’t like them at all in the front garden where there are eight of them in two rows, all in varying sizes, shapes and in varying stages of growth (or decline). I think I could make this look much better with something else.
If any locals happen to read this blog and would like to have these plants, provided you come and fetch them from me you are welcome to have these plants. I’d feel much better if they went to a “loving home” rather than ending up at “the shelter”, aka the compost heap.
26 replies on “What to do when you don’t like something anymore?”
Christine, I have the advantage that I can always dig up and sell plants that I don’t want. If they are not appropriate for my nursery then I give them away. Maybe there is a local plant group that has a sale. You could pot them up and have them available for someone who visits your garden. I don’t like throwing plants on the compost pile either. Carolyn
I am with you on this topic. I have a very hard time throwing a plant on the compost pile. I try to find another spot for it or give it to someone else. Sometimes I may damage it when I dig it up, and so………..but I try very hard to find it another home. I don’t know if there is a right or wrong way to approach this problem…guess it is up to the individual.
It just seems wrong if it’s a healthy happy plant! fortunately I’ve found a solution for mine. I would have left them if I didn’t find takers …
Anything that grows where it shouldn’t or doesn’t behave in the place its planted is a weed. You’ve gotten lots of advice here to recycle when you can, either in a different spot in the garden or as “gifts” to friends. But, really, yank out what you don’t like.
Hi Nancy – thanks, you made me feel better about this. I yanked something out this weekend that I have never liked and threw it on the compost pile! felt ok 😉
Christine you’ve had some really good answers to your dilemma here. All that I can add is I feel your pain. I try my best to let every plant fulfill the measure of their creation as i would any living thing. But sometimes…
I agree Carolyn, fortunately these are going to new homes 🙂
I usually try to re-home unwanted plants, but of course, some resent being dug up and moved. If they need to go, and either nobody wants them, or they won’t survive transplanting, at the very least I try to compost/chipper shred them. At least that way they return to the garden in a more useful form 😉
I agree! I think I’ve found homes homes for the lavender and I realized I have a verge outside the property that is shaded and bare, so the Mona lavender can actually go out there.
Hi Christine, I cant say I haven’t thought of this before. However the longer that you have been gardening the more acceptable will be the feeling that they served their purpose and looked good at one time, now its time for the scrap heap. Blimey I could be talking of myself.
Hehe Alistair – that thought occurred to me too 🙂
I ask my neighbors and friends if they want them. They can also be donated to a school with a gardening program or perhaps a local gardening group may want them or can advertise in their circle if anyone wants them. If I can’t get rid of them I have been known just to replant them in the back of my garden where I don’t see them just because I can’t imagine throwing them away even if I don’t like them. Fortunately I have space to do this.
Hi Karin – I know that feeling, I can’t bear to throw them away either! I’m going to put some in pots, some in the back garden and one of my staff wants some for her garden … so it looks like I’m going to find good spots for them all 🙂
Great ideas among the above comments! I never feel guilty about moving plants, giving them away, or composting them. I also like the idea of trying some in pots or window boxes, perhaps mixed in with some colorful annuals.
I’d also ask around & see if anybody wants them. We have a little free local newspaper that often has ads similar to this. Free plants to a good home! LOL! If I can’t find anyone who wants a plant, I don’t feel bad composting it, either. It’s still being put to good use.
We are really lucky to have http://www.Freecycle.com – people can post things that they want to give away (or things that you are hoping to find, free of charge.)
Usually one person’s trash is another’s treasure, and I have had made more room in my own garden while simultaneously making a couple of other gardeners very happy by posting my two holly bushes and several day lilies. I felt good knowing they were going to be appreciated somewhere, and I was happy to free up space for a tree peony, which I’ve always wanted.
Of course, contributing to the compost pile is also a noble cause if there aren’t any takers! I don’t blame you one bit for wanting to “end their lease” and try something else out – gardens are always evolving and changing! Can’t wait to see what you replace them with!
Before getting rid of them all, you might want to try each of them in a pot for a little while. Sometimes a plant that looks sort of “blah” in the ground really comes into its own when in an appropriate container. This also lets you change the height of the plant, try it in different spots, fill in bare holes in other beds even temporarily, etc.
Hi Alan – Thanks, thats actually a really good idea. I can put some of them in pots and move around, try in different spots … fabulous suggestion, thank you!
I totally agree with Dani. That is the best way to remove plants you do not enjoy anymore. Rather see it as an old pair of jeans that you loved wearing but they just don’t fit anymore…..giving it to someone who will appreciate it will be the best all round. You feel good and the new owner will feel good. If no one takes them then donate it to a school or an old age home. They always have a dedicated gardener who will take care of them. Now rest well knowing your plants will always be loved.:-)
Thats a good idea! I’ll ask the school over the road whether they would like them … or else I might transplant them onto the verge if noone claims them. Thanks for the ideas!
Compost them if nobody claims them. They deserve returning to the earth since you find them unattractive.
I’ll have to do that. I really don’t like doing it though. Will try to replant some of them.
I used to be soft-hearted, too. But now, after having killed so many plants, I don’t mine pulling them up and doing away with them anymore! I do usually try to transplant them somewhere else first, if that’s an option. Good luck giving them away!
I’m going to plant some of the Mona Lavenders in the back I think, I hope someone claims the others. Thanks for helping me feel a little less guilty about this 🙂
LOL you’ve already done something with them – you paid them forward (“you are welcome to have these plants”).
Generous eco-friendly option – hope someone near you takes you up on the offer.
So do I Danni! I’d rather give them away than throw them away 🙂