LOL! No, not from me, nutsedge maybe, cat tails no : )
We'll have to make sure you get some nice iris for that spot next year, lol.
Remy

:) I had a similar experience with some phlox that weren't. On the other hand, I think I just accidentally ripped out my new england aster yesterday while on a weeding frenzy. Not the greatest plant, but it was fall color and went well with some yellow on that end of the bed.

And I thinned my chives to discover the dwarf curly chives I'd forgotten about.

Husky that is too funny! I have some kind of HUGE MAMOTH grash clump growing down at the back behind my dead maple tree. I know I didn't plant it and I know it didn't come from River Birch or any of our other swappers. I am guessing it came from my neigbor's very overrun yard. If I ever get everything else planted and cleaned up this thing is going to go. It is pretty but I don't want it reseeding all over the place. Glen if you see this post and you are looking for grasses you are more than welcome to it.

Penny

I also had dozens of those "irises" come up after we had some major grading done and hydroseeding. Mowing has kept them pretty much at bay. We have a stream with many cattails. I had a friend dig some up from the center of the stream and the rhizomes are indeed like giant irises. After doing a little reading (see link below) I decided to stop fighting them, at least in the stream and on the other side which is pretty wild, and let the birds and critters have their little space. There is also joe pye weed and either ragweed or goldenrod (I can never remember which is which) that look wonderful together. I love it that it all lends itself to looking a little more rural than we are :-)

Carol

Here is a link that might be useful: More than you want to know about cattails

Haha! Been there, done that! Pampered the weeds.

PS - no, not from me!

I forgot to mention that 3 or 4 years ago I had a plant that I couldn't remember planting so I decided to let it go and flower so I could see what it was.....Would you believe Pennsylvania Knotweed!

Penny

Penny, don't feel bad. I was web surfing the other day and came upon a plant that looked just like one in full bloom next to my shed. It was a garlic mustard! At least now I know what to look for.

Also, the trumpet vine I got at our plant swap 2 or 3 years ago finally took hold. I hope I haven't created a monster, but its far away from the house; actually right next to the garlic mustard. Uh oh, woe is me!!

I also have several different plants that 'could be' one way or the other. Some I hope are rudbekia from seed 2 years ago. They didn't flower last year, so I'm hoping they bloom on the second year. DS has my digicam so I can't even submit pics for ID.

Carol

Husky, I thought for sure you'd say they were some of my blackberry lillies as I know they look a lot like iris foliage wise! So relieved it was something else although sorry it ended up being cat tails! hahahah

Speaking of lookalikes, I thought I had gotten rid of a vicious vine that looks like a grapevine. The small leaves resemble maple leaves, but then those nasty little tendrils appear. I can't remember the proper name and can't find it on the web. It's back, and I need to know how to get rid of it. It grows like crazy a couple of miles down the road and looks like it is smothering everything in its path.

Carol

Carol,

Porcelain berry vine/amur peppervine?

Hope not. I don't have it but it doesn't sound fun to get rid of. I get lots of nightshade vine thanks to my neighbor. But at least that won't threaten to smother everything if I keep on top of it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Info on porcelainberry vine

Carol,

I know the vine you are talking about, I have it too. It's not the porcelainberry vine though. The first time I saw it, I thought I had a maple seedling growing, as that's exactly what it looks like at first, but then, like you I saw a tendril and did a mental "uh-oh". I just rip them out by hand, but if they get even a bit larger than the initial "resembling a maple seedling stage" they are hard to pull out. I wish I knew the name, but I don't have it. Sorry I can't be of more help!!

garden frog - Yes, a couple of years ago I too thought I had a maple seedling so I put it in a pot. Later discovered a miles long (well not really but it felt like it as I ripped it out) vine in some trees by our stream. I pulled out all that I could from the trees and yard helper went after what was in the ground a couple months ago. Now its back. I need to research it more to see how to get rid of it.

When the one in the pot grew a tendril, I realized what I had, so got rid of it.

Carol

Hammerl - Sorry I didn't respond. That is definitely NOT what it is. Will keep you all posted when I find the answer.

Carol

Hi,
A vine that come to mind with maple like leaves and tendrils is Echinocystis lobata(Wild Cucumber Vine.) I've never heard it is hard to get rid of, but then again I've never seen it.
Remy

Here is a link that might be useful: Google Images of Echinocystis lobata

remy, I don't recall ever seeing a seed pod or flowers. Maybe the pics will help.

the mystery pictures are grape

Riverbank Grape seems to be the closest in appearance, tho appearance varies greatly from leaf to leaf. I'm sure going to have to keep an eye out for flowers and fruit. I honestly don't recall ever seeing either, but that doesn't mean they haven't been there.

They are all over the place in our area, but I can't find anything on the web about them being invasive. You can even buy them!!!

"Wild grapes are high-climbing or trailing woody vines with shreddy bark and branched tendrils opposite some or all of the leaves. The leaves are simple and often prominently lobed and notched. Like tame grapes, their fruit is borne in clusters, though usually small and light blue to black in color when ripe.

The common kinds of this region are the Summer Grapes, the Frost Grape, the Sweet Winter Grape, the Northern Fox Grape, the Catbird Grape and the Riverbank Grape; the first two being most common.

Some wild grape vines grow quite large. One seen recently in the forest preserves is 8 inches in diameter and is estimated to be 80 years old."

Here is a link that might be useful: Forest Preserve District of Cook County (Illinois)

Oh my gosh do I feel silly! Can't believe I never figured that out on my own! My parents had them growing all over their land when I was a kid!

Thanks Doc and Wantoretire!!

I can't believe that Cook County website makes them sound like a good thing! Yes "children use them as swings" because thats how thick and tough they get. I've been pulling them out of my back evergreens for years. The roots get huge, and you have to keep at it.

Its even harder when the neighbors ignore it. One let his get so bad it completely smothered one large evergreen and spread to others on each side and through a nearby apple tree. He was planning to move eventually so didn't care. Thank goodness new owner took me seriously and cut them down. Found the dead tree in the midst of it. Now there's a gaping hole and we have to look at old decks and above ground pools, instead of lush spruce trees. And its still growing, of course. And spread to neighbor behind him so still aiming for our trees. Sandy