Nobody likes a bully. Yet some new gardeners don’t realize when they are planting species that can overtake their gardening plans.
Sometimes a plant’s invasive nature isn’t that obvious. It can even take a few seasons for you to notice plants overshadowing your landscape.
So keep an eye on the following popular plant varieties. While they may start out great things can rapidly take a turn for the worst.
Daisies
Daisies are iconic, resilient and easy to plant. This makes them a favourite for flower beds everywhere. But their robust nature can also make them a nuisance.
“Their lack of any discernible weakness…has made daisies a serious weed problem in many parts of the world. They literally spread like wildfire, and even the most powerful plant pesticides struggle to keep them at bay!” - The Bouqs Company
English Ivy
Sometimes the qualities that make a plant attractive are also the ones that make them a pest. This leads many growers to refer to English ivy as “beautiful” and “annoying” at the same time.
“English ivy (Hedera helix) was originally prized for its dense, quick evergreen growth and its low water requirements. Ironically, these exact features make it invasive in the landscape.” - Home Guides
It can be difficult to say whether ivy damages property. Some say it can cause exterior walls to crack and crumble. Others say it protects the surfaces it climbs. Regardless of your opinion, keep an eye on English ivy if you plan to make it a part of your landscape.
Chinese Wisteria
There is far less debate over the invasiveness of Chinese wisteria and it’s relative Japanese wisteria. These varieties can destroy wildlife habitats, pull down fences and cause concrete structures to crumble.
“This vine grows very rapidly, reaching up to 70 feet with 15 inch trunks. Because of this rapid growth and dense shade, native canopy trees, understory trees, and shrubs can be smothered or killed beneath the heavy weight of this invasive vine.” - Ecosystem Gardening
While wisteria can be quite beautiful and fragrant, over time, the drawbacks of this plant might make them more trouble than they’re worth.
Coneflowers
Coneflower or Echinacea is a popular perennial. However, due to their self-seeding and fast spreading nature, their resilience can often be a drawback.
“Unless you have lots of goldfinches that will eat the seeds and keep them under control, don’t plant it.” - Shifting Roots
So while coneflower is still a good choice if you are looking for a year-round variety, they might require some extra effort.
Japanese Honeysuckle
“Even though Japanese honeysuckle is a highly desirable, highly utilized ornamental, it has quickly become a problem... due to its fast growth rate and ability to displace native plant species“ - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
So honeysuckle, especially the Japanese variety, is no longer recommended for landscaping since it is very difficult to control.
Sometimes it’s hard to know which plant species will throw off the balance in your garden. But being aware of which species pose future threats is a great place to start. That way, even if you opt for a few of these varieties in your garden, at least you’ll know what you’re getting into.
Are once beloved plant varieties taking over your garden? Contact us today for a FREE quote - we’d love to help you with your landscaping needs!