I once was discussing dividing perennials with a group and had a person share that she took her increase and planted it in the edges of the natural wetland that borders her housing development. We never know what seemingly tame garden plant will become the next purple loosestrife and rampage through our natural areas while we scramble around trying to stop it. Please don't do this. There are plenty of places that do need help to prevent exotic weeds from reproducing at will.
You shouldn't practice Guerilla Gardening in areas that are being tended even if you don't like their style and content. Some garden styles seem very ungardenlike (is there such a word?) to those of us who love lots of plants. Japanese style gardening and zen gardens come to mind. There is a lot of open space and, in the case of the zen garden, there may only be areas of raked sand. They are carefully tended or they would rapidly be covered in weeds, so don't spread time bombs here.
My campaigns are never an unqualified success for several reasons. First, I don't want to take on the battlefield as an extension of my regular gardening chores. Next, I never know when the property owner may change the use of the battlefield. In the case of my first campaign, a year later, some work was done on the rest of the property and several large concrete pavers were placed in the area, effectively covering what we had planted in half the length of the plot. Oh well, at least it keeps the weeds down too. And finally, the weather can take its toll. This year, for example, we have had extreme heat and little rain for several weeks and it has been a struggle just keeping my own plants out of trouble much less looking after the alley orphans. But, when the first assault is repulsed, gather your forces, review your tactics, develop a new plan and try again. There will always be extras in a garden that can be shared with Mother Nature.
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