10 Unwanted Flora Species That Should Never Be Cultivated
Gardener's preference leans towards hearty plants that grow swiftly without much fuss. Regrettably, some blooms blossom excessively, leading to environmental issues. "Invasive plants spread rampantly, causing ecological disruptions, such as the replacement of native plant species," explains horticulturist Justine Kandra from the Kemper Center for Home Gardening at Missouri Botanical Garden. "This is detrimental for insects, wildlife, and various animals that depend on native flora."
Invasive plants can spread rapidly by means of seeds, grasping stems, roots, or fruits consumed by birds and subsequently dropped. "Invasive plants multiply at an astounding rate, which makes them concerning," comments horticulture vice president and collections manager Amanda Bennett from Atlanta Botanical Garden. "The issue is further exacerbated by the fact that plenty of invasive plants are still marketed at garden centers and online nurseries."
To ascertain which plants are classified as invasive, research is essential, as the list can fluctuate based on location. "A particular plant might pose an issue in one area but isn't regarded as invasive in another state," explains Bennett. "Since of this, it's essential to investigate before planting to avoid inadvertently introducing invasive species to your region."
Contact your nearby university's cooperative extension program (locate it here) or your state's department of natural resources and conservation to learn which species are invasive and how to recognize them. These entities can also provide guidance on eradicating invasive plants and suggest native alternatives suitable for your area.
Justine Kandra is a horticulturist at the Kemper Center for Home Gardening at Missouri Botanical Garden.Amanda Bennett is the vice president of horticulture and collections at Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Below is a list of the most commonly found invasive plants that should be avoided:
Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin)
Also referred to as the powderpuff tree or silk tree, this rapidly growing small to medium-sized tree possesses feathery leaves and showy, puffy, pink flowers that transform into flat seed pods. It usually thrives in sunlit areas such as fields, woodland edges, streambanks, and roadside verges, notes Kandra.
Sweet Autumn Virginsbower (Clematis terniflora)
This semi-evergreen vining plant penetrates forest edges, streams, and roadside areas, suffocating vegetation, reports Kandra. It blooms in both shaded and sunlit conditions and is most conspicuous throughout late summer when the plant emits a feathery, white haze of blooms.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Often planted as a low-growing groundcover, this vining plant advances rapidly and also offers a suitable refuge for mosquitoes. It roots from seeds, roots, and leaf nodes, thus classified as an aggressive grower, expanding to an astonishing height and width of up to 100 feet.
Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense)
This evergreen shrub species constitutes one of various non-native privets that invade and pose a problem in various regions of the United States. However, Chinese privet has become the most prevalent in the Southeast, notes Kandra. It invades forests, fields, roadsides, and streambanks, forming dense thickets that obstruct native species.
Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Known as callery pear, this tree formerly enjoyed popularity as an ornamental plant among landscapers and developers. However, it came to be problematic due to its offensive scent, weak wood, and capacity to cross-pollinate with native species, crowding out native plants, notes Bennett. Certain states, like South Carolina, offer incentives, exchanging native trees for Bradford pears.
Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
One of the most popular ground covers, this evergreen plant sports trailing stems that root at nodes as they creep along the ground. The appealing lavender-blue flowers are attractive, but it might become invasive in certain areas, reports Bennett.
Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)
Commonly recognized as heavenly bamboo, sacred bamboo, or nandina, this woody shrub boasts colorful, evergreen leaves, adored fruit that birds frequent (advancing seed distribution), and drought and shade tolerance, notes Kandra. Regrettably, these attributes also make it invasive, causing it to displace native species. Certain compact and dwarf varieties of this shrub are not invasive, so take care to select wisely.
Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
The captivating purple, draping flowers of this woody vine can easily entice gardeners. Nonetheless, this long-lived deciduous vine will ascend to heights of 40 feet, girdling or smothering trees and shrubs and altering forest ecosystems, warns Kandra. Seek out American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) for comparable lilac-purple flower displays without concerning invasive features.
Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata)
Amur peppervine, also known as the porcelain berry or porcelain vine, boasts attractive pinkish-purple-blue berries on a strong, wooden, vine that climbs using tendrils, somewhat resembling wild grape vines. This invasive plant can grow up to 25 feet tall, and it's a favorite amongst birds, aiding in its spread throughout various regions, according to Bennett.
Giant Reed Grass (Arundo donax)
This persistent grass possesses a tropical or bamboo-like aesthetic. Plant it as an ornamental addition or for erosion prevention, but be warned – it has become a nuisance in numerous locations, particularly in the southern parts, as per Bennett's observations.
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Gardening enthusiasts should be aware of the potential invasive plants that can cause ecological disruptions, as horticulturist Justine Kandra from Southern Living's partner, the Kemper Center for Home Gardening at Missouri Botanical Garden, emphasizes. Some of these invasive plants, like the Mimosa Tree and English Ivy, are still marketed at garden centers and online nurseries.
In their pursuit of new Gardening Landscaping Ideas, it's crucial for gardeners to research the classification of plants as invasive, as the list can vary based on location, as advised by Amanda Bennett, vice president of horticulture and collections at Atlanta Botanical Garden.
