You are at the nursery and have found a nice-looking plant. Is it safe to bring home? Your friend has some extra plants and offers to give you some – should you take them? In both cases, you can get into a lot of trouble by taking the plant home.
This is a list of invasive plants you should never, never, never add to your garden–unless you want them everywhere.
Nurseries should be restricted from selling them to unsuspecting customers.
See also Products You Should Not Buy!
What is an Invasive Plant?
An invasive plant has two common characteristics. It spreads fairly quickly either by seeds or a running root system. Secondly, the root system is nearly impossible to remove. Any small bit of root left in the soil will grow again.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it does contain some of the worst of the worst. I have struggled with almost all of them.
As one of the commenters below points out, invasiveness is regional. Something that may be invasive in zone 5 may not grow in zone 8, for all kinds of environmental reasons. This list of plants is invasive in zone 5, Ontario, in clay-type soil, and probably most of Northeastern North America.
Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria)
Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata)
Ribbon Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Mint (Mentha species)
Sedum acre
Lyme Grass (Leymus arenarius)
Running Bamboo
Bell Flower (Campanula punctata)
References:
1) Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria) Photo: Funki Sock Munki
2) Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) Photo: yamaken
3) Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata) Photo: Sunchild57 Photography.
4) Ribbon Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) Photo: Learn to Grow
5) Periwinkle (Vinca minor) Photo: Patrick Standish
6) Mint (Mentha species) Photo:
7) Sedum acre Photo: Sólveig Zophoníasdóttir
8) Lyme Grass (Leymus arenarius)Photo: Thompson & Morgan
9) Running Bamboo Photo: Heather Bailey
10) Bell Flower (Campanula punctata) Photo: Qwen Wan
I grew mint in a container in zone 3. I managed to kill it. That’s how poop I am.
You really need to check your facts before publishing. With the exception of the Phalarais, NONE of the plants you list are considered ‘invasive’ in Oregon. And Oregon has one of the most detailed and comprehensive invasive plant listings in the country!!
And there is a huge difference between an aggressive spreader and a true invasive. What you have listed are only aggressive spreaders or self-seeders and not true invasive species. In most cases, they rarely spread beyond the garden’s borders. True invasives by definition are non-native species that have the ability to take over natural areas and out-compete native plants. And this will be highly location dependent….what is invasive in one area of the country is not necessarily invasive anywhere else.
You are correct. I did use the term invasive incorrectly, but it is the term most gardeners use for this type of plant.
Odd for a blog extolling the virtues of fact and dispelling myths does exactly the opposite by conflating terminology with the excuse that that’s how most interpret the word invasive. Its not, and you should not be contributing to the problem or confusion. I have most of the plant you list, yes they can spread but they are not taking over my property or my neighbours. Not by a long shot. My current battle is with soap wort.
None of these plants are invasive in zone 8B, Portland Oregon .I’ve tried all of them. Nothing made it in my shady garden except the Bamboo I planted 30 years ago and it’s a small clump near the neighbor’s yard and hasn’t even spread into his yard. I have some varigated periwinkle in a large container and that is still alive. So don’t tell people not to grow plants that you are too lucky with. I wish I had your problem. I have clay soil …. ferns are happy here.. .thank God. Everything else I manage to keep alive in pots. I will admit ivy is a problem but they don’t sell it in our stores here anymore. Those other plants you mentioned are beautiful.
Most of the plants on the list are invasive in Oregan. Just because they did not grow for you does not mean they are not invasive in other places.
There are different types of bamboo. Sounds like you have a clumping bamboo that does not spread as running bamboo does. Running bamboo spreads but can be contained with a rhizome barrier and pruning trench around the grove and will only need maintenance a 3-4 times a year to cut any rhizomes that may possibly escape through the barrier. With this setup you can enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of bamboo without it taking over your property. My son has a bamboo nursery in North Carolina
A related species, campanula rapunculoides, is considered very evil in Manitoba.
Yucca, Trumpet Vine, and wild blackberry is my battle of the day. I will say that the yucca and trumpet vines were sort of in check until I went to eradicate them. Maybe I should have just let them be.
Here, in England, only Mint, any kind of Vinca and Lilly of the Valley, from your list have proved problematical. Mint is often encouraged because of its pest repellent nature. However, there is a growing body of people who regard rhododendron as an invasive plant. Law is currently being considered to inhibit the spread of these attractive plants into the countryside. Do you have similar problems with it in the US?
I just read about rhododendrons poisoning bees in the UK and Ireland. I am actually in Canada, but we have similar problems to the US. Lots of things are starting to cause problems, including garlic mustard, and European buckthorn.
I’m in England too (Kent) and I’m having massive problems with ground elder. It’s a thug! It’s supposed to be edible but I’ve yet to acquire a taste for it.
Are you talking about Aegopodium podagraria
The goutweed in the picture grabbed me. Many folks say that this is an invasive plant… but it has survived in dry shade on my property for at least ten years, looks good, and doesn’t run anywhere. I don’t have to mulch, water, fertilize. Considering I don’t have the resources to water and do all of those things to all of my property, this is has been a great plant for me.
I have many of the plants that you mention, and I do agree with vinca. I’m unsure as to why they are still sold in nurseries.
I guess this is where the adage right plant right place applies. Goutweed will run in good soil, water, sunlight, but behaves in challenging situations, keeping out those plants that DO spread (especially the damn blackberry).
I’ve been gardening for 46 years on the same property. Among the hundreds of plants I have …I have all the plants you suggested were invasive,except for the sedum.I live in zone 8B ,in Portland ,Oregon. NONE of these plants have been invasive on my property. The only thing invasive I have had a problem with is English Ivy. These other plants you mention,can be bought cheaply at local garden stores. I think…hanging out at rare plant nurseries over the years,I found a pretention,sometimes arrogance comparing expensive ,slow to multiply plants verses plants that multiply more easily. The rare ,expensive ones aren’t always prettier or showier.I have goutweed bordering a pathway that is beautiful.Visitors go ‘WOW!’ They have no idea it is called such a demeaning name…(weed). It hasn’t spread more than 4 feet in in 30 years.Beautiful in a white,Grey and blue garden …moonlit garden. Too bad beginner gardeners listen to these snobs.
How rapidly a plant grows depends on location. For many areas the plants listed are thugs and many people agree with me. But if they are well behaved in your region, then use them.
Obedient plant is not obedient, its all over my garden!
Houttuynia cordata chameleon Is a nightmare. We were warned it was invasive, but we had no idea. I hate the thought of roundup, but I may not have a lot of choice. I like the paintbrush idea. Last year we took a tiller to it. I think every tiny piece regrew! Ugh.