View full sizeIf a plant is on the Oregon Department of Agriculture's noxious weed list, as is Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), it's a good candidate for removal.Gardens seem to transform in a flash from bare bones to overcrowded mishmash. If this describes yours, you'll want to thin it out and do some editing, and summer is a good time to do some editing. Here are 10 questions to ask as you decide what stays and what goes.
1. Is it a thug?
The obvious place to start is with invasive plants.
2. Is it wimpy?
Some plants take two or three years to get robust, and we must be patient. But after a time, if a plant just barely manages to live and refuses to fluff out nicely, out it should go.
3. Is it prone to disease?
4. Is it floppy?
(Unless you don't mind staking plants.)
5. Is it outsized?
This assumes it can't be moved. Plants that are meant to arch like a fountain look ridiculous clipped down to fit a too-small space.
6. Is it high maintenance?
7. Is it a short bloomer?
(Unless it has great foliage.)
8. Is it out of place?
Sun-loving plants will grow spindly and leaning if they're in a shady garden. Many golden-leaved plants will get leaf burn by midsummer if they get afternoon sun.
9. Is it just plain ugly?
No need to take a poll on this.
10. Is it rude?
Perennials that refuse to return, or flowering shrubs that refuse to bloom fall into this category.
-- Homes & Gardens staff
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