In my zone 6 garden, I. purpurea reseeds vigorously... I have a couple of corners where I let them just go nuts, but I try to keep them out of most of the garden areas.

I've heard that in warmer climates, they can go from thuggish to "conquistador," enough that in some seeds you cannot purchase seeds.

For whatever reason, I haven't tried I. nil in the ground, but it seems like they'd be much less thuggish, both in habit and with regard to reseeding. True?

I do realize sometimes a thug is just what a certain spot needs, and I think reseeding is less of an issue with colder, longer winters. I'm just wondering about choices for areas where thugs would be a bad idea.

What other species or varieties can you suggest that aren't garden thugs?

Jill, I. nil is wonderful for not being a thug! I've even had it reseed some but not nearly like purpurea.

Tricolor is another...that would be Heavenly Blue, Wedding Bells, Blue Star, Flying Saucers, all very pretty and easy to find.

Thanks, Ronnie! I've been ripping out the thuggish ones the past few years, and they are diminishing finally... but I'd still like to have some better behaved ones in that garden area (neighbor's fence -- and they like to have flowers climbing it).

Jill if you are not particular on names, I can send you a nice mix of some Nils for next year.

I'm not at all particular about names... have yet to see an I. nil that I didn't think was lovely! I will share the bounty at the mid-Atlantic seed swap (which, by the way, you should come to if you can! last Sat of Jan or first Sat of Feb, at Chef Lin Buffet in Frederick). Tree-mail me your address and I'll send a SASBE! Thank you!!