The shrubby “walls” created by old fences aren’t the only kind of walls we need to keep cutting through. Swamp loosestrife has a beautiful flower.

However, at the edge of our ponds it’s forming a shrubby wall that blocks the view of the water as you stroll by. Since one of the key goals of the Prairie Garden Trust is to share the beauty of nature, a plant that would hog the view if we just sat back it let alone is a plant due for serious whacking, herbicide, burning, or whatever method works best.

This is not to be confused with purple loosestrife, though, which is not native. Purple loosestrife is highly invasive, has escaped from gardens and created a mess in U.S. wetlands. Still, swamp loosestrife is hearty grower and will require long-term whacking back to keep it as part—but not all—of the view.