A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 suggestions needed

I live in south Louisiana (z9), and we have ditches alongside every road (it's a must for drainage). We have problems with water remaining in the ditches, and this can sometimes become stagnant, or a breeding ground for mosquitos.

I have seen other ditches that have plants growing in them, and I was wondering if anyone knew what I could grow in mine.

I need plants that are 1) hardy, 2) like water or boggy areas, and 3) don't need much--if any--maintenance. Our ditches get a lot of Round Up because we don't like to weed-eat (takes toooooooo much time). We have a lot of ditch area to cover. But if we could place something to grow in the ditch, then we don't have to weed-eat or spray Round-Up.

Thanx for any advice.

There are some places like that around here, and they have cattails growing in them. It looks pretty nice, too.

I agree, we have some ditches around here with cattails....I asked Mark if he'd stop and dig me some up in the middle of the night...... He wouldn't!

Thanx, I'll try something like that!

I've been trying to get my husband to stop on his way home from work to dig cattails growing in the ditches. lol

Maybe if I keep nagging..

Oh, the things that our husbands will do sometimes!

Mine's kooky enough to do it, but we don't have any cattails around here. Maybe I should send him after the other plants I saw in other ditches?......... They looked like a water lily of some sort, but knowing my hubby he'd be out there one night with a bucket, a shovel, and a flashlight, and if anyone asked what he was doing he'd tell them he was frogging.

He ain't askeerd of wut da peeple tink of 'im, cher!!!