Autumn has arrived. And it is not by the calendar or a report on the news that I obtain this information. It is imparted by the annual flowering of my stand of Polygonum Cuspidatum. Known by it’s common name of Japanese Knotweed, this plant is unfortunately on the USDA’s top 10 list of most troublesome plants. Unlike many who have planted this faux bamboo-like plant to have it totally take over acres and acres, my clump has stayed just that over the past 25 years. From other plantings I have seen, I know that I just lucked out on this one. Despite it’s growing reputation as a noxious weed, I have a certain affinity for this plant. It is quite showy as it booms in cascades of silver flowers in late August that turn an intense magenta and then to scarlet each year right at time of the solstice.
Another plant that always announces the arrival of fall with regularity is the Poncirus Trifoliata or the Japanese Bitter Orange. This close relative, but not really a citrus plant bears many resemblances to the orange. It is one by far the most sinister plant in my garden. The thorns on this tree are quite literally the stuff of nightmares. Being that the fruits are so bitter as to be totally unpalatable – even to wildlife – I cannot imagine why it developed such a gruesome defense strategy. Each year the golf ball sized fruits turn a delicious golden yellow before they fall to the ground to generate countless barbed seedlings. This plant is quite a conversation piece and I find that few folks are familiar with it. It is hardy to temperatures as low as -25 and will tolerate almost any growing conditions. It can even be grown in Alaska and most of Canada. Should you ever decide to add this interesting but menacing small shrubby tree into your garden, let me save you the trouble….don’t bother tasting the fruit. Really, don’t bother, I’ve already done the horrendous task for you. Trust me, it is not something you would wish on anyone you care about. It may even be too terrible for your worst enemy.
