Wow Susan — garlic chives killed off three shrubs AND a redbud tree??? No, I’ve never heard of anything like that! Yes, it seems like I’m forever digging them up by hand — one by one — and sometimes when I don’t get the bulb coming out with the rest of the plant….oh I practically cry! About Morning Glory — I’ve heard over and over again from gardeners how invasive this vine is…and when I grew it, I couldn’t get it to grow as well as I wanted, so I had to give up. I love the flowers on it, but for some reason, it didn’t love me back. And from what you’re saying as well as others: maybe that’s a good thing! 😊

And I so wish that I had some help to offer you! Just yesterday (mid-March already), I was outside using a dandelion digger and attempting to get at the roots of some of these plants that are already showing up. The ones stuck in between some of our edging are the worst to try and get out. I made a tiny bit of progress, as long as I don’t look beyond that little area. (Even showed my husband my happy little chives-free area…and when he began to look beyond it, I told him to stop! Haha!)

We even tried a vegetation killer, but I don’t want to use it again. So now what? I’m too old to get on my hands and knees digging. So I approach Spring with an odd mix of excitement and loathing. Haha. Help!

Oh Joan you sound like you’re describing me when I see garlic chives for sale each year! I was hoping during this Winter season that they would at least die off with the freezing weather. Well surprise, surprise, we have had unusually warm weather so far this season including 64 degrees yesterday. And it’s only early February! So naturally more seem to be popping up even now. They’re taunting me. Sigh. Let me know how the cover crop idea works, as it sounds like a good plan!

Is your Pinky Winky Hydrangea in full sun? They do best in full sun, so perhaps that is why the buds didn’t fully open? Also, please see my Pinky Winky Hydrangea guide for the many pictures: if you look closely you will see there are two different types of flowers on each of the large cone-shaped flower heads. Some open fully like flowers while others stay very tiny. Maybe that is what you’re seeing? At this point in the season — here in the US it is almost Fall — it’s time to let the hydrangeas continue as is. No need to any fertilizer until the Spring. Without knowing your location or where the plant is sited, my best suggestion is to wait and see how they do next year. In the meantime, talk to a local nursery garden expert at an area nursery and see what they can suggest for your specific location.

Hmmm… a “fire thing” makes me imagine myself holding a giant fire blow torch and setting my entire garden up in flames, which would probably be funny and horribly tragic at the same time! LOL. But I am looking into some organic ways to kill off the chives without damaging the plants I want to keep. Crazy times!