A place, far from other plants and from anything you don't want smothered, where you plant those plants that grow like crazy.

Has anyone ever set aside an area for that purpose? Have you filled a strategically-located bed with plants that take over? The advantage is that they should all be low maintenance.

If not a bed of aggressive plants, what about just a single aggressive plant. Have you ever planted an aggressive plant where it couldn't cause trouble and let it run wild?

Yes! I put Cannas in spots where they are contained on all sides, by hardscape or mowing.

I place the different mints and lemonbalm on the hillside near the compost pile
but then I have a lot of space for plants that want to take over.

I planted a bed of Variegated Pachysandra in a bed in mostly shade that is bordered by sidewalk, driveway and my brick house. Hopefully that will keep it contained. Also just this season planted an "island" bed in my larger side garden with large-leaf Vinca that is bounded on all sides by sidewalk and driveway.

In my front yard bed, I planted about 10 sets of Lamb's Ear, hoping it will meander between the 3 Crepe Mrtles, Giant Liriopes and fill out all unplanted areas to choke out weeds. It has done so effectively in my back yard bed, so I hope it does the same out front. That bed is bordered by sidewalk and metal edging, so I'm hoping it won't jump into my lawn. That's what we hire the lawn guys for, to keep that edging "clear" of encroachment.

Ah yes. invasive species. well several years ago I planted Gooseneck Loosestrife. a beautiful plant...until it overtook my beds. it took 3 weeks of digging to get it all out. If I could find it again I'd plant it in a large container. then there's the vicious spiderwort. What was I thinking?????????? CAN'T GET RID OF THIS PLANT NO MATTER WHAT I DO I thought I had finally gotten a handle on its demise but...no, it's back and doing very well coming up in-between my patio paver stones. I know the bees like it but I don't. I don't want to use pesticides. even if I could "contain" it I'd never grow it again. to be honest I didn't know that these 2 plants were invasive. the mints are planted in a concrete trough and they stay put. I know how they can "travel". the lambs ear can go where it wants. I love it. I'm thinking of moving some out front to hang out with variegated liriope under the hydrangeas.

If you want to pour boiling water between your pavers, that should kill the spiderwort. But be careful of your toes.

Tiffany. I'll see how that works and try not to poach my tootsies. at this point I'm ready to slap some cement down between the pavers and call it a day. I'm tired of pulling up whatever sprouts in that area. weeds are one thing in the beds but I'd like 'MY' retreat to be weed free.

My pleasure. And no doubt! Once you get the weeds killed, you could sweep new sand into the cracks between the pavers if the gaps are large. This will help prevent as many weed seeds from lodging there.

I got this stuff at Lowes and Home Depot-can't remember the name but it comes in a 20lb bucket. the application is to sweep it into the cracks as thickly as possible and then hose it down. It dries to a crust. That works ok for a few weeks but then..the greenies start popping up again. not just weeds but daffs, a painted fern, verbena boneriensis{tons of those seedlings} the blasted spiderwort, etc. one year I got a raspberry plant. These things can't come up in my beds? I'm gonna make a honest effort to transplant what I can and then see how to tackle the rest. Boiling water sounds good.I'll add Drano to it if I have to!