The logistics to remove jewelweeds (Impatiens capensis) that grow up through the wide spreading paperbush on the back slope of the koi pond are difficult. Jewelweed is easily pulled, but you must be able to reach it. This paperbush is one of several that have spread to twenty feet or more, and while jewelweeds closer to the edge have been pulled, it’s become clear that ones in the shrub’s interior will not go away until the first frost.

Today, I see an additional complication, though I should not be surprised to see a hummingbird moving from one flower to the next (above). Kind-hearted as I am and discounting tidiness, providing nectar for wildlife is the deciding factor in not wading through the dense branches to pull the jewelweed.

In the short term, a mass of mint will remain, mostly hidden behind taller shrubs in the lower rear garden. The mint was transplanted to this damp soil long ago, but it quickly disappeared so I was surprised to see its return this spring. I see clear evidence why mints are ill-advised for planting except in containers, but for now, it fills the space and there’s little room for it to spread further.

In fact, a Japanese ginger (Zingiber mioga) that was later transplanted seems to be spreading into the mint’s territory. The transplants were green reversions of the variegated ‘Dancing Crane’ which is grown only for its foliage closer to the house since flowers are barely seen just above the soil. With no other plans for this space in the lower rear garden, I’ll likely let the mint and ginger do battle for another year.