Back in April I was pondering the existence of numerous Wisteria vines around my property. Specifically why the previous home owner was so enamored with the stuff that she planted more than one. Over the last three months I've since discovered three additional vines sprouting up around the property, all of which have been eradicated.

And although I need to yank errant sucker-vines off the one remaining plant, I had settled into learning to live with Wisteria. Until this afternoon when I discovered that it's actually much, much worse.

I don't have Wisteria at all. It's a Trumpet vine.

While doing some online research, most of the angry and tired Wisteria owners were being consoled by the poor slobs that are dealing with Trumpet vines. I was confident I didn't have that problem until the damn thing started blooming. Here are two photos of what's growing in my driveway; the first shows the trumpet-like buds about to bloom.

This second shot shows the full plant, slowly reaching out to the right, towards my house. If it could only reach the garage, I'm sure it would spread to my house and rip it apart.

The fascinating thing about the Trumpet vine is that is does not take kindly to eradication. Herbicides, which work wonders on Wisteria, actually cause the Trumpet vine to send out more tendrils underground to try and escape the slow death by poisoning. As an added bonus the Trumpet vine leaves have an oily coating that apparently I'm allergic to. The Poison Ivy-like bumps I've had all over my hands and wrists for a couple of weeks now suddenly make sense.

What's that you say? What good is the Trumpet vine?

The flowers of this plant are a major food source of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. They, along with Bumblebees, are one of the few animals which can reach the nectar inside the long flowers.

Just so we're clear, I'm putting you guys on notice. Come November I'm going to kill your precious food source with fire. It will end no other way.

Last 5 posts by Mike

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