Every year in summer our gardens can start looking a little out of control. The tall plants are flopping, ground covers are invading the paths, seedlings are popping up everywhere. Just take a deep breath and remember, it is OK to kill the plants. Just because you bought a plant and lovingly placed it in the garden does not mean that it can become an out of control thug and still get a free ride. In my garden plants must follow my rules because I'm the garden queen. There are many ways to get rid of plants that are in the wrong place without killing them. Try moving them to another area in the garden. Taller plants may not flop so much if they are placed with other tall plants to provide support or against a fence. Ground covers that have covered too much ground can be divided and planted where they have more space to roam. Alternatively, give your plants to friends and neighbors. Everyone likes free plants and you have plenty. Bring your plants to a plant swap and send them to a good home. Lastly, don't forget, it is OK to kill your plants. Just pull them out and send them to the compost pile. It is OK. Each garden plant deserves enough space to fully develop. Don't crowd your species so close together that they are cramping their style. Thin out the aggressive growers. Keep your plants within the boundaries you set for them and don't let them crowd the path. Cut taller plants back short in early summer. Late summer bloomers can be cut back so they don't flop and will still bloom. Plants along the path can be cut back away from the path to encourage them to grow in the other direction. If a plant just isn't working in a space, get rid of it. It is your garden, you are in charge.
Originally published in 2016
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