16 Invasive Species Sold at Garden Centers You Should Never Buy
video description
Date: 2022-07-18
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 15
Stan
Our last house which was our first house was a nightmare. In hindsight we wish we had spent more time looking at the yard before purchasing. We had Emerald Cedars (they grow 3 ft up and 3 ft out every year) on all four sides of the property - looked great while they were relatively new, it is a major job keeping it to a hedge size ( we lost control one year - not pretty. We had a Grape Vine and Wisteria in close proximity to each other. They had planted Golden Bamboo in one area by the CONCRETE PATIO, the boulevard in the front of the house had Ivy growing on the other side of the cedars and of course more ivy at the base of a couple of enormous Red Cedars, which for some reason they planted honeysuckle in there as well. FYI Ivy will kill honeysuckle if given enough time and the cedars killed the Laburnum tree due to their root network. Our current home we do have Vinca but it is in a couple of areas that are relatively easy to maintain but I can see how it can get away from you. Also the previous owners planted Lamium (Lamium purpureum) which is a bit of a nightmare for both ourselves and our neighbours, it spreads like wildfire covers everything very, very quickly. Lamium spreads by root and seed. It gets into every nook and cranny. We do have a honeysuckle here but we keep it nice and trim. While he did show one type of ornamental grass, there are other types that you also have to be careful of, we pulled out one from our beds and moved it into a half barrel planter as it was taking over the garden bed (hopefully I got it all. The point is when buying a home make sure you check the yard for any surprises that may create grief for you later on. Often when people are staging their homes for sale, they plunk a lot of plants in that may not be suitable for your lifestyle going forward. We learned the hard way. LOL Also if you get Himalayan Blackberry growing in your Ivy, cut it back to no longer visible and sell.
reply
Our last house which was our first house was a nightmare. In hindsight we wish we had spent more time looking at the yard before purchasing. We had Emerald Cedars (they grow 3 ft up and 3 ft out every year) on all four sides of the property - looked great while they were relatively new, it is a major job keeping it to a hedge size ( we lost control one year - not pretty. We had a Grape Vine and Wisteria in close proximity to each other. They had planted Golden Bamboo in one area by the CONCRETE PATIO, the boulevard in the front of the house had Ivy growing on the other side of the cedars and of course more ivy at the base of a couple of enormous Red Cedars, which for some reason they planted honeysuckle in there as well. FYI Ivy will kill honeysuckle if given enough time and the cedars killed the Laburnum tree due to their root network. Our current home we do have Vinca but it is in a couple of areas that are relatively easy to maintain but I can see how it can get away from you. Also the previous owners planted Lamium (Lamium purpureum) which is a bit of a nightmare for both ourselves and our neighbours, it spreads like wildfire covers everything very, very quickly. Lamium spreads by root and seed. It gets into every nook and cranny. We do have a honeysuckle here but we keep it nice and trim. While he did show one type of ornamental grass, there are other types that you also have to be careful of, we pulled out one from our beds and moved it into a half barrel planter as it was taking over the garden bed (hopefully I got it all. The point is when buying a home make sure you check the yard for any surprises that may create grief for you later on. Often when people are staging their homes for sale, they plunk a lot of plants in that may not be suitable for your lifestyle going forward. We learned the hard way. LOL Also if you get Himalayan Blackberry growing in your Ivy, cut it back to no longer visible and sell.
reply
Joyce
I am a part of a group in Pennsylvania working to get the most egregious invasive species added to our controlled plant and noxious weed list. This list is determined by the PA Department of agriculture. Japanese barberry was just added last week and the final decision on Callery pear, also known as Bradford pear, will be made in October. Ive been working hard for two years to get Callery pair listed. I live in southeastern Pennsylvania and it is taking over. It grows in dense monocultures and is filling in abandoned fields, drainage basins, roadsides, swells etc. Please, please, please do not buy any Callery pear varieties. This is a super tree with high germination rates, high seed viability, fast growth and it spreads by suckers and seed. Just because the Home Depot sells it does not mean its safe. This tree and all of its cultivars are banned in Ohio and Delaware. Many other states including Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri and Tennessee are having a terrible time fighting the spread of Callery pear. There are flowering alternatives that are native such as serviceberry, native dogwoods and crab apples that can be planted instead. These alternatives act as hosts for insects and their larvae which areas needed by birds to feed their nestlings. Once added to the controlled plant and noxious weed list, a plant can no longer be propagated, sold, planted or transported in Pennsylvania. Please do not plant Bradford pear or any of its cultivars. Our birds and insects need our help. We can help by planting natives and removing invasive.
reply
I am a part of a group in Pennsylvania working to get the most egregious invasive species added to our controlled plant and noxious weed list. This list is determined by the PA Department of agriculture. Japanese barberry was just added last week and the final decision on Callery pear, also known as Bradford pear, will be made in October. Ive been working hard for two years to get Callery pair listed. I live in southeastern Pennsylvania and it is taking over. It grows in dense monocultures and is filling in abandoned fields, drainage basins, roadsides, swells etc. Please, please, please do not buy any Callery pear varieties. This is a super tree with high germination rates, high seed viability, fast growth and it spreads by suckers and seed. Just because the Home Depot sells it does not mean its safe. This tree and all of its cultivars are banned in Ohio and Delaware. Many other states including Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri and Tennessee are having a terrible time fighting the spread of Callery pear. There are flowering alternatives that are native such as serviceberry, native dogwoods and crab apples that can be planted instead. These alternatives act as hosts for insects and their larvae which areas needed by birds to feed their nestlings. Once added to the controlled plant and noxious weed list, a plant can no longer be propagated, sold, planted or transported in Pennsylvania. Please do not plant Bradford pear or any of its cultivars. Our birds and insects need our help. We can help by planting natives and removing invasive.
reply
Kevin
Please remember folks, even some native plants can be considered invasive. Also, some popular plants planted as flowers can either invade areas you don't want them in, or can be toxic to some animals such as livestock. A great example of one is morning glory. Beautiful flowers, but will spread uncontrollably almost. Purple lupine, which is actually a native plant, is toxic to unborn cattle at certain stages of gestation. I guess my point is, be careful what you plant depending on your location. If your next door neighbor on the outskirts of town is raising beef cattle, I would highly suggest NOT planting any lupine. If you want to have clean fences and not fight with it in your vegetable garden, be careful where you plant morning glory. (Special note here, morning glory is considered a noxious weed in some areas of the US, and you can be charged/fined for planting it)
reply
Please remember folks, even some native plants can be considered invasive. Also, some popular plants planted as flowers can either invade areas you don't want them in, or can be toxic to some animals such as livestock. A great example of one is morning glory. Beautiful flowers, but will spread uncontrollably almost. Purple lupine, which is actually a native plant, is toxic to unborn cattle at certain stages of gestation. I guess my point is, be careful what you plant depending on your location. If your next door neighbor on the outskirts of town is raising beef cattle, I would highly suggest NOT planting any lupine. If you want to have clean fences and not fight with it in your vegetable garden, be careful where you plant morning glory. (Special note here, morning glory is considered a noxious weed in some areas of the US, and you can be charged/fined for planting it)
reply
Charlotte
Thirty years ago I moved to a house that had Chinese wisteria climbing up the walls. The neighbor in the rear has a huge stand of bamboo that had invaded our yard. Autumn clematis was climbing the fence along with honeysuckle. I have almost gotten rid of the honeysuckle. The clematis is trying to strangle my summersweet. A concerted effort to dig up the bamboo took my husband and me three months of work for three hours every day, and I still have to police the area because sprouts pop up; it's right next to the neighbor's fence and nothing stops it. I have still not gotten rid of the wisteria. It is growing right next to the house in the crack of a sidewalk that abuts the wall of the house. Much as I don't want to use chemicals, I have almost poured Roundup on it. It's still alive and sending out roots that sprout as much as ten feet from the original plant.
reply
Thirty years ago I moved to a house that had Chinese wisteria climbing up the walls. The neighbor in the rear has a huge stand of bamboo that had invaded our yard. Autumn clematis was climbing the fence along with honeysuckle. I have almost gotten rid of the honeysuckle. The clematis is trying to strangle my summersweet. A concerted effort to dig up the bamboo took my husband and me three months of work for three hours every day, and I still have to police the area because sprouts pop up; it's right next to the neighbor's fence and nothing stops it. I have still not gotten rid of the wisteria. It is growing right next to the house in the crack of a sidewalk that abuts the wall of the house. Much as I don't want to use chemicals, I have almost poured Roundup on it. It's still alive and sending out roots that sprout as much as ten feet from the original plant.
reply
Maureen
Hello Kevin, it is for you since you posted this video and the first time I have seen it. I bought a piece of property with Japanese honeysuckle, in my zone 5B Colorado property. The Japanese honeysuckle is moving wherever there has been snow coming off the roof and soaking the ground. I am working on keeping it within limits. I would very much like for you to continue to do this type of video. I appreciate you sharing your know how an expertise on gardening, even though much of it does not apply to my zone 5B garden, most of it does! Thanks again Kevin.
reply
Hello Kevin, it is for you since you posted this video and the first time I have seen it. I bought a piece of property with Japanese honeysuckle, in my zone 5B Colorado property. The Japanese honeysuckle is moving wherever there has been snow coming off the roof and soaking the ground. I am working on keeping it within limits. I would very much like for you to continue to do this type of video. I appreciate you sharing your know how an expertise on gardening, even though much of it does not apply to my zone 5B garden, most of it does! Thanks again Kevin.
reply
Malou
RULE OF THUMB when buying plant. If it's only purpose in your yard is just to be beautiful, DON'T BUY IT!
If you're using bamboo as furnishing, paper fber (or as a part of an Asian fresh lumpia salad - young bamboo shoots can be eaten if you're not watering them with Graywater, then it's not invasive.
If your English Ivy is to clean indoor air & is placed near vents/windows/indoor wall, then it is not invasive!
JUST DON'T BUY PLANTS FOR DECORATIONS. OR ELSE PLANTS WILL SLAP YOU BACK HARSHLY!
reply
RULE OF THUMB when buying plant. If it's only purpose in your yard is just to be beautiful, DON'T BUY IT!
If you're using bamboo as furnishing, paper fber (or as a part of an Asian fresh lumpia salad - young bamboo shoots can be eaten if you're not watering them with Graywater, then it's not invasive.
If your English Ivy is to clean indoor air & is placed near vents/windows/indoor wall, then it is not invasive!
JUST DON'T BUY PLANTS FOR DECORATIONS. OR ELSE PLANTS WILL SLAP YOU BACK HARSHLY!
reply
Robert
As far as killing trees, I don't know about that! I have a tree out front that is close to a hundred years old it was put in when these houses were built. The tree is thriving and there is English Ivy growing up the side of it. Think about a popular plant like Monstera (House Plant we all love) but. in the (native areas) wild it climbs trees. I do concure however you do NOT want IVY growing up the side of your house! It will damage the wood and or siding with those suckers it uses to attach itself.
reply
As far as killing trees, I don't know about that! I have a tree out front that is close to a hundred years old it was put in when these houses were built. The tree is thriving and there is English Ivy growing up the side of it. Think about a popular plant like Monstera (House Plant we all love) but. in the (native areas) wild it climbs trees. I do concure however you do NOT want IVY growing up the side of your house! It will damage the wood and or siding with those suckers it uses to attach itself.
reply
Bryan
I've tried to stay native. I've recently just transplanted a White Oak sappling to the middle of my backyard. The old occupants have put two Rose of Sharon trees out, but they're so slow growing. I'm terrible at identifying invasive plants, but I love to watch it all grow, and discovering new plants - even all the different weeds that grow in the different times of the warmer seasons. This year, I've been getting a succulent like plant taking over my flower and garden beds. Hard to keep up with.
reply
I've tried to stay native. I've recently just transplanted a White Oak sappling to the middle of my backyard. The old occupants have put two Rose of Sharon trees out, but they're so slow growing. I'm terrible at identifying invasive plants, but I love to watch it all grow, and discovering new plants - even all the different weeds that grow in the different times of the warmer seasons. This year, I've been getting a succulent like plant taking over my flower and garden beds. Hard to keep up with.
reply
epic_gardening
Great Video. But I would not proclaim anything positive about English Ivy. You mentioned it is a fantastic houseplant. The problem is out of 1000 people, We can bet at least one person will get tired of their English Ivy Houseplant at some point. Then they may throw it in the backyard. And then it starts its ever spreading ways to take over your entire state. It is really a plague and each person should be encouraged to never grow it anywhere. Thanks again for the informative video!
reply
Great Video. But I would not proclaim anything positive about English Ivy. You mentioned it is a fantastic houseplant. The problem is out of 1000 people, We can bet at least one person will get tired of their English Ivy Houseplant at some point. Then they may throw it in the backyard. And then it starts its ever spreading ways to take over your entire state. It is really a plague and each person should be encouraged to never grow it anywhere. Thanks again for the informative video!
reply
iri
Wisteria u can easily plant in your garden if u just keep it in control. And as long as you keep it climbing above the ground(on a pergola like I have) and if u trim it back like once or twice a year then they are some of the most beautiful flowers u will ever see and the fragrance is just insanely sweet! Every gardener would love to have a wisteria somewhere in the garden! U just have to know how to take care of it! Or rather how to abuse it so it stays within the lines haha
reply
Wisteria u can easily plant in your garden if u just keep it in control. And as long as you keep it climbing above the ground(on a pergola like I have) and if u trim it back like once or twice a year then they are some of the most beautiful flowers u will ever see and the fragrance is just insanely sweet! Every gardener would love to have a wisteria somewhere in the garden! U just have to know how to take care of it! Or rather how to abuse it so it stays within the lines haha
reply
Poosheek
Why does this video make me want to plant all of the invasive species? I feel challenged. Challenge accepted.
I will conquer the invasive ones and they will bend to my will.
Alot of the invasive plants in my area look alot better than the natives. I would rather have invasive plants. They are not necessarily bad, there are instances where invasive species are more beneficial because they enrich soil, increase water whereas the natives dont
reply
Why does this video make me want to plant all of the invasive species? I feel challenged. Challenge accepted.
I will conquer the invasive ones and they will bend to my will.
Alot of the invasive plants in my area look alot better than the natives. I would rather have invasive plants. They are not necessarily bad, there are instances where invasive species are more beneficial because they enrich soil, increase water whereas the natives dont
reply
april301975
Is it a bad dog or bad dog owner?
Is it bad plants or bad gardener?
Can you add one more to that list of 16? the hair on our head. I have to have a hair cut every 1. 5 month.
I agree that some are very invasive such as runner bamboo. There is a clumping bamboo that grows not far from center clump. I thin mine once every couple years. I have to mow my grass every week. Both have practical purpose in my yard.
reply
Is it a bad dog or bad dog owner?
Is it bad plants or bad gardener?
Can you add one more to that list of 16? the hair on our head. I have to have a hair cut every 1. 5 month.
I agree that some are very invasive such as runner bamboo. There is a clumping bamboo that grows not far from center clump. I thin mine once every couple years. I have to mow my grass every week. Both have practical purpose in my yard.
reply
The
Hello, native Englishman here and amateur ecologist. H. Helix is not considered a problematic plant here, it is often associated as parasitic and damaging to trees and plants, but this isnt entirely true. It has its own root system and only uses the host tree for support. It only becomes an issue if the tree becomes terminally ill/injured when the extra weight of the ivy will hasten the assent to horticultural heaven.
reply
Hello, native Englishman here and amateur ecologist. H. Helix is not considered a problematic plant here, it is often associated as parasitic and damaging to trees and plants, but this isnt entirely true. It has its own root system and only uses the host tree for support. It only becomes an issue if the tree becomes terminally ill/injured when the extra weight of the ivy will hasten the assent to horticultural heaven.
reply
Ebony
1. Chinese Wisteria
2. Fishpole Bamboo
3. Winter Creeper
4. English Ivy
5. Japanese Honeysuckle Vine
6. Winged Burning Bush
7. Nandina (Sacred Bamboo)
8. Chinese Privet
9. Autumn Olive
10. Bradford Pear Tree
11. Vinca Minor
12. Japanese Barberry
13. Princess Tree
14. Sweet Autumn Clematis
15. Weeping Love Grass
16. Japanese Spirea
reply
1. Chinese Wisteria
2. Fishpole Bamboo
3. Winter Creeper
4. English Ivy
5. Japanese Honeysuckle Vine
6. Winged Burning Bush
7. Nandina (Sacred Bamboo)
8. Chinese Privet
9. Autumn Olive
10. Bradford Pear Tree
11. Vinca Minor
12. Japanese Barberry
13. Princess Tree
14. Sweet Autumn Clematis
15. Weeping Love Grass
16. Japanese Spirea
reply
Dandavats
Great!
Perhaps some of these varieties deserve a more careful analysis.
Yes, very important to consider that some property owners may be lacking facilities to handle an invasive species. Introducing a potentially invasive species requires careful study by property owners for themselves, and for their community.
Thank you for sharing informative videos!
reply
Great!
Perhaps some of these varieties deserve a more careful analysis.
Yes, very important to consider that some property owners may be lacking facilities to handle an invasive species. Introducing a potentially invasive species requires careful study by property owners for themselves, and for their community.
Thank you for sharing informative videos!
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
