Equisetum in the xeriscape

[abborean]

Am not sure which species of Equisetum this is but it is thriving in our xeriscape here in SE NC. Most of the species seem to be wetland plants but I collected this one from a property in sandhills near the coast. Owner didn't know the plants origins. I recall another type growing in cinder banks along the railroad tracks in PA back in the 60s so I guess a xeric species or two isn't out of the question. Should also note here that the pictured plants may have their roots well down in the well draining medium.

[Xanthoria]

Yeah no, that's a xeric plant. I made the mistake of planting some in my xeric/drought tolerant San Francisco gardens and an still trying to eradicate it years later. It gets nothing but winter rain (10-20" a year) and doesn't care a whit.

[abborean]

it's a handsome devil though. Thanks for the information.

[Stan]

Even in Hayward..in dry shade it goes on. As long as in winter that area is wet. Low spot. My aunt had that. Funny to see Cattails sprout along roadsides at the base of hills that otherwise are nothing but dry grass and a few Oak trees. Those spots of Cattails are of course finding ground water that accumulates at the one little area. Not to be confused with "Little Adam Schi**"..ah,just a joke.

[Stan]

Abbo I once was growing E. giganteum. It was fast growing and loved tropical heat and wet. If I was you,Or in Houston,I would have that growing in any primitive plant garden. It might be growable in the bay area..but probably never reach the 8 or 9' it can in the hot southeast. It may also die back to the roots where frosts hit..or need a wet tub in winter indoors or shelter. Worth a try.

[abborean]

I may try giganteum as it it available at PDN in Raleigh. Thanks for the suggestion.

[abborean]

Yeah no, that's a xeric plant. I made the mistake of planting some in my xeric/drought tolerant San Francisco gardens and an still trying to eradicate it years later. It gets nothing but winter rain (10-20" a year) and doesn't care a whit.

Did you ever get rid of it? If so, how? Am fighting a losing battle.

[Xanthoria]

I rip it out annually and it comes back just as happy. Hateful!

[Stan]

Use a weedkiller AFTER you've gone over the weeds by hand or rake to scrape off some the waxy coating. I find it makes a big difference on thick leafed plants like Vinca major.
If you are against the infamous weedkiller..others are out there. Scruffing the weeds really helps.

[edds]

Equisetum is a tough plant. Stan's tip is a good one but you need to do more than scrape as the silicates in their tissue make them very tough. Smash them up a bit so the weedkiller is getting into their transport systems. Leave it a couple of weeks and then carefully dig up each and every piece tracking the rhizome back as far as you can.

Then wait for them reappear and repeat ad infinitum.

There's a reason these plants have been around for over 400 million years (their giant versions laid down our coal layers).

[abborean]

Thanks for the advice. I'll muddle then spray. Am thinking brush killer as opposed to grass killer. Have dug a ton of these up and potted them for our local plant sale. Always told the buyers to keep them potted. Something must control them in the wild where I have only seen them twice. Once in a cinder bank along the railroad tracks and the other time in lime sand in a stream bed. The latter obviously not a xerophyte. Will post another pic before I commit herbicide!

[jnewmark]

They are weeds here in NW Ohio, and I've been trying to get rid of them for years. They keep popping up in places I don't want them; really have to dig deep to pull the roots out, otherwise they just snap in half.

[abborean]

Any chance for a pic? Seems to come in two morphs. One looks like a mini Christmas Tree the other just a pole.

[jnewmark]

Any chance for a pic? Seems to come in two morphs. One looks like a mini Christmas Tree the other just a pole.

Mine are the skinny, pole variety, although usually in clumps of 3 or 4. I'd take a photo, but I went on a recent purge.

[abborean]

Sounds like it's the same as mine in the OP.

[jnewmark]

Sounds like it's the same as mine in the OP.

Yes, the photo shows the ones we have here.