Hi Susan,

Thanks for your question and the attached photos. Coltsfoot does spread quickly and it is difficult to get rid of so trying to overwhelm it with natives that spread quickly could be helpful, but you may want to try to eradicate some of it before planting.

I'm not sure what you have done to try to get rid of it, perhaps all of the following measures. Coltsfoot spreads by deep rhizomes. Any flowers in early spring should be hoed off. The leaves should be removed so that the rhizomes are not receiving nutrients. Weedwacking and trampling it can be helpful. Turning the soil over in hot weather can dry the rhizomes and kill more of them off. You can dig down, cover the area with black plastic, put several layers of cardboard over, then some soil and compost and then try to plant your natives. Something like white beardtongue (blooms in spring), coneflowers/bee balm (blooms in in summer,) asters for fall bloom would give you a nice variety and all spread well.

Below are two references on control of Coltsfoot and one reference on VT natives to help you decide what you want to plant. Good luck and happy 4th!

https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/expert-advice/garden-management/weeds/weed-datasheets/coltsfoot 

https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2064/2021/04/European-coltsfoot-weed-alert.pdf 

https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Community-Horticulture/Native_Perennials_and_Shrubs_for_Vermont_Gardens.pdf