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Need ideas for control of Thunbergia alata

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Need ideas for control of Thunbergia alata

So here’s the situation. The municipality of Quito, where I live, is applying a ver destructive strategy to control Thunbergia alata in natural parks. They leave the soil bare and want to apply broad-spectrum herbicides to kill the seeds. Obviously, this results in the complete destruction of the local ecosystem. Later today I’m having a meeting with local activists and groups who oppose this, to make ready for a meeting with the local government later in the week.

I can see how Thunbergia alata is causing harm to native trees and annuals by suppressing them, but I also see how it builds soil and provide habitat for insects, spiders, birds and other animals.

I’m trying to find a permacultural solution for this dilemma. Wondering if trampling pigs or goats could help. Or if there’s other plants that can keep this spreading vine in check. Or a combination of both: a plant able to suppress Thunbergia alata but its edible to animals so later on we can keep in in check by introducing them strategically.

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Insects are dying: here are 25 easy and effective ways you can help protect them

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Insects are dying: here are 25 easy and effective ways you can help protect them

From turning out the lights to letting leaves rot, these small steps can create big changes at home or in the wild

Insects are in trouble. Around the world, scientists are reporting catastrophic declines in their numbers, even in nature reserves that are largely protected from human touch. We are also beginning to see huge drops in the populations of other animals – such as birds – that depend on insects as food.

Many of the drivers of those declines are structural, and require strong action by governments to turn around. But there are clear, easy steps that anyone can take to support the insect world. For species under such pressure, any respite is important, and we can create refuges for insects in a world increasingly hostile to their survival. In creating better habitats for insects, you can also reap the benefits: thriving gardens, more songbirds, and a healthier web of life.

Continue reading…

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Question–can I stop comfrey from spreading with some of these?

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Question--can I stop comfrey from spreading with some of these?

I planted a small bare root of comfrey a couple years ago around some fruit trees and, well, you know the rest of that story. I now have it everywhere, and I don’t necessarily want it everywhere! If I enclose the area where I do want it with some of these steel edging strips, will they be deep enough to contain the roots from spreading? How deep do you think the barrier would need to be to prevent the comfrey from spreading? Thanks in advance!

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Bella Madrona, again (I couldn’t say no)

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Bella Madrona, again (I couldn't say no)

Last May, 2024, I had the opportunity to visit Bella Madrona—an extraordinary private garden south of Portland—post here. For me Bella Madrona will always be the location where magic happened during the final event of the 2014 Garden Bloggers Fling. Honestly, the Portland Fling planning committee (of which I was a member) could not have picked a better place to wrap up the long weekend.

Since that particular evening figures so large in my memories you might think I’d be hesitant to return, wanting things to stay as they were then. But no. I will always jump at the chance to visit, to see the garden and catch up with it’s remaining owner/creator/tender Geoff Beasley in his element.

And that’s why I was there again on the afternoon of June 1st.

This visit was planned by my friend Ann Amato (aka the Amateur Bot-Ann-ist) as she’s been scheming to expose her fellow horticulture students to a wider expanse of gardens and nurseries, and she invited me to come along. Her group will be touring my garden in July, and I joined them on a previous visit to Cistus Nursery and Rancho Cistus in April. There’s Geoff on the left (pug Olive in the background) and Ann on the right, as Geoff was starting the tour.

We have to give proper appreciation to Ann’s Metallicat T-shirt.

And more pug-love to Caper and Olive.

I briefly considered abandoning the garden tour to enjoy the pug snuggles.

However the garden won (mainly because I knew there would be more pug snuggles at the end).

We walked, we talked, and I snapped photos…

Aruncus dioicus

This grassy spot has been the location for many a gathering, it was fun to see it unmown this visit.

Some of our group…

I think Geoff said this is Grevillea x ‘Neil Bell’.

Agaves that don’t mind our wet winters.

My pug friends. I cannot even begin to describe how much I enjoyed these two. They were just pups during the 2014 Fling, now they’re senior citizens.

Well, when I said the event lawn was unmown I was wrong, it was mown with style.

A large garden with chairs scattered throughout is a special place, one where you’re invited to stop and enjoy. Soak it up. 

Grevillea ‘Poorinda Royal Mantle’ (I believe).

This was my 5th visit to Bella Madrona. The garden is widely celebrated for the parties that took place there before I ever stepped foot on the premises—many with Pink Martini performing—but I know it as a quieter place. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel the energy that came before. It’s everywhere, honestly this garden buzzes. That may be a little more “woo woo” than you expect from me, but it’s my truth. I feel honored to have been invited back again.

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All material © 2009-2025 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

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