5 Notoriously Invasive Plants to Watch Out For in Your Garden, as Perceived by Experts, to Prevent Garden Overgrowth
Thuggish Plants That Will Take Over Your Garden: An Uncensored Guide
Embrace the wild side of gardening, but be cautious! There are certain plants that, if left unchecked, could quickly take over your garden, turning your dreamyard into a Junglean jungle. Here's a list of five unexpected garden invaders that you should keep a watchful eye on.
1. Spanish Bluebells
Don't let their enchanting appearance deceive you! Spanish Bluebells might seem like a delightful addition to your garden, but they're actually a firm no for many garden experts. While English bluebell bulbs are perfect for woodland gardens, Spanish bluebells can pose a significant threat to their native counterparts. So, stick with the English bluebell bulbs (like these ones from Sarah Raven) if you want to maintain a harmonious woodland garden.
2. Acanthus
Acanthus, also known as bear's breeches, is a popular herbaceous perennial that can adapt to most planting conditions. However, it can be a bit too resilient and aggressive for some gardeners' liking.With deep roots that are hard to remove once established, Acanthus can hijack a carefully planned garden scheme if not contained.
3. Bamboo
Bamboo is a fashionable option for modern garden design and can be striking, but it requires careful management. Many species have aggressive underground runners that can appear meters away from the original planting spot, even pushing up through patios. To prevent bamboo from becoming one of the thuggish plants that will take over your garden, make sure to only grow clumping varieties (such as Fargesia) in large pots or install a solid root barrier at least 2 feet deep.
4. Mint
Tempted to grow mint directly in the ground? Think again! Mint, whether you plan to grow it from seed or cuttings, has the potential to spread aggressively and quickly dominate other plants in your garden. To keep this herb under control, it's best to grow mint in pots.
5. Ivy
English Ivy is a classic evergreen that is perfect for north-facing gardens. However, its rapid growth and invasive nature can make it one of the thuggish plants that will take over your garden if left unchecked. Ivy can climb walls, strangle trees, and blanket everything in its path. Regular pruning is essential to keep English Ivy in check.
FAQs
What is the most difficult plant to get rid of?
The most difficult plant to get rid of is the infamous Japanese Knotweed. Its deep-rooted rhizomes can grow through concrete, damage property foundations, and are incredibly hard to remove, making it a significant legal issue when selling a house. Other challenging plants include ground elder and Montbretia, which also have robust root systems that quickly take over borders and outcompete other plants.
Which Plants Will Take Over Your Garden?
While it is easy to list off invasive plant species, there are some garden invaders that might surprise you. These include mint, Spanish bluebells, bamboo, and ivy, as well as some less common plants like Vinca major, certain Wisteria species (particularly Asian varieties), and Leylandii hedges.
To prevent these thuggish plants from taking over your garden, choose non-invasive or well-behaved varieties when possible, use dense living mulches and groundcovers to suppress weeds and invasive plants, plant closely to form a continuous canopy, and keep up with regular maintenance and monitoring.
Maintaining a balance between wild and harmonious in your garden can be tricky, as certain plants, such as aggressive species like Bamboo and Ivy, can quickly overtake your garden design if not managed properly. Embrace home-and-garden lifestyle by being cautious about the choices you make, and consider growing non-aggressive plants like herbaceous perennials instead of bear's breeches (Acanthus) or weedy plants like mint.
