but those suckers will take over a flowerbed overnight. About the most invasive thing I ever grew, as bad as mint--to which I think it's related.

I bring it inside, when the weather turns cold, and have fresh mint all Winter.

The Bee Balm is going to get thinned and some moved to a spot that is desperate to be overgrown with flowers. My worst invasive plant, right now, is the trumpet vine. I'm going to be hacking away a good 80% of it, this Autumn.

don't talk to me about trumpet vine. We moved into an old house that had belonged to my husband's great-aunts, who in their day were great gardeners but as they got old had neglected to keep things under control. The original trumpet vine was on a lovely rustic trellis with a bench, and it attracted butterflies and hummingbirds until the trees around it got too big and the shade inhibited its ability to flower. But by that time, every square inch of the acre-plus that wasn't mowed was trumpet vine. It was a never-ending battle. God be with you in your hacking.

Potted mint is an excellent idea and one I'm going to steal.

None the less, it's becoming a real pain to mow around, and to keep the further spreading under control.

I resorted to buying some 'brush kill' and spray it just on the stubs, when I cut the new shoots off. It seems to help.

It's what I'll probably end up using when I attack the main plant.

and my knees no longer tolerate hand weeding. I got myself a little roll-around tractor seat, which helps, but it takes so long and is so difficult--because of the gravel, you really can't use much in the way of tools to help. I used Kleenup a couple of times with wonderful results but I just can't bear to use that stuff any more. I tried a "natural" spray, which killed the leaves it touched but was not systemic--which is good--but the plants kept coming back, and the stuff is expensive. So I bought myself a flame-thrower! It is a wand with a little propane tank, and I roam the driveway (the tank is on wheels), blasting away. It takes a long time, but it's easy to do, so I work on it a little at a time.

I'm going to be tackling the horrible tangle of wild raspberries, rugosa roses and poison ivy that's gradually taking over the lowest part of my yard, and I'm hoping I don't set the fence on fire.

I don't remember the ratios, right now, but it's a quick google. You just have to be careful not to get it on plants you want to thrive.

I had planned to go back and mow down more of the sprouting vines but it is just too bloody hot to even think about starting up the rider mower. I'll probably hand pull the longest and hold off on the mow until Friday, when it will be MUCH cooler.

I will look it up, thanks. I have a lot of snakes and frogs around here, and I don't want to hurt them.

I've been going out early and doing a little weeding, but it's too hot even at 7 a.m. In addition to garden obligations, I've got to get some mortar back in the brick walkways that are all around my house. The flamethrower killed the weeds and their roots, and their roots were apparently all that was holding some of the bricks together. But that's definitely a job for cooler weather.

We're going on vacation Sunday, and I can't imagine what I'm going to come back to! It was nice talking to you, and thanks for the tips. I always enjoy your beautiful photos--you can rely that one of the "likes" is from me!

I'm 'stay-cationing' and repainting bathroom cabinets. It's exhausting work in this heat, that's for sure.

I see some darker clouds and I'm HOPING they contain some rain.