Tuesday, September 6, 2011

An Invasive in the Window


Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata) with Zinnias and Pokeweed (a native) flower

A what's blooming (and fruiting) bouquet with some serious seeds. My research tells me that the pretty blue and purple-hued berries of the invasive Ampelopsis brevipedunculata are better off in the garbage pail than in the compost pile when the bouquet is done. But just one look at those pretty berries will tell you enough of the story of how this vine made its way across the sea and into gardens of the "new world". The fact that I found it roadside in Brooklyn quite a distance from any cultivated gardens speaks to the power of this plant's abilities in getting itself around.
Varied colors of the Porcelainberry.

2 comments:

Terri said...

I'm jealous--I could never grow pretty zinnia plants. The leaves always got fungus or mold...didn't matter how careful I was with the watering.

Sweetgum Thursday said...

We've been lucky so far this season in New York. No powdery mildew to speak of effecting the zinnias, though I've seen it on other plants this season, my zukes included. Go figure. Maybe next season for you.