Invasive Plant versus Pretty Landscaping

[plowhog]

I have spent years trying to eradicate Scotch Broom from my California property. It's invasive, it's a huge wildfire hazard due to oils it produces, it will take over any area where it gets established, and the seeds can lay dormant for up to 80 years, then re-germinate.

In Nevada County, CA, there is an annual "Scotch Broom Challenge." This is an organized county-wide effort to try to help eradicate this pest.

Scotch Broom Challenge - Fire Safe Council of Nevada County

So I am now finishing my custom home build in Northern Nevada. With the residence nearly done, I'm looking at landscaping and vegetation options. I walk into the Home Depot gardening department and there it is-- Scotch Broom-- FOR SALE!!!

People buying this stuff have no idea what they are getting themselves into. I can't believe it is offered FOR SALE.

Search Results for scotch broom at The Home Depot

 

[MacLawn]

I wish ALL non native plants were illegal. E.g., wisteria. Mess is as bad as English ivy and kudzu.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I wish ALL non native plants were illegal. E.g., wisteria. Mess is as bad as English ivy and kudzu.

I second the vote for wisteria! Beautiful flowers - for about 2 weeks per year. But - it goes faster than weeds. It has completely taken over many pine trees here, 30' tall and more. Vines as thick as 3" in diameter. I've heard that it will eventually kill a tree, but I don't know that for sure. I do know though that I spent 2 full days cutting vines off of trees last year, and didn't even make a dent.

Just for the record, I didn't plant these wisterias - they came with the property. I have no idea as to how many years they've been here, but they are well established. Cut down one vine and 20 more sprout up from those fast growing runners. I've pulled out some runners 30' long. Those runners will hang up a weed eater in a New York second. And it takes 5 minutes to unwind them. Put me on record for no longer being fond of wisterias, beautiful flowers or not.

 

[dmccarty]

In this day and age, it surprises me that these invasive plants are still for sale. I drive by a state park that has several areas taken over by Wisteria. Pretty when it flowers but it is taking over acres of land. As is Russian Olive and Japanese Stilt grass.

South Florida spent years taking out invasive plants. Some will be successfully eradicated but others, like the Brazilian Pepper bush I don't see being wiped out. The pepper bush is all over the place.

Later,
Dan

 

[ruffdog]

Being invaded by Pokeweed here. They say it is a native plant but I've never seen it before.

Phytolacca americana - Wikipedia

 

[MossRoad]

Being invaded by Pokeweed here. They say it is a native plant but I've never seen it before.

Phytolacca americana - Wikipedia

Yep. It's been around here since I was a little kid back in the 60s. Purple berries in fall stain the heck out of everything. We made ink from it for art class. It's poisonous to mammals. Both the leaves, berries, roots, etc..., yet people make poke salad out of the young leaves. They have to boil the leaves several times to get the poison out.....yikes! Why bother? I guess if you are hungry, you make choices. I dig it out every time I see it. The root is ridiculously long. But if you get them in the spring when the ground is still moist, usually use a good push with your foot on a shovel and out comes most of it. Don't let them get too big or they'll take over. Get them when they're small. And use gloves when handling it. The juices aren't good for people and skin contact. Good luck. :thumbsup:

 

[forgeblast]

Honeysuckle, knotweed, multiflora rose.....dealing with them for years.

 

[ruffdog]

Yep. It's been around here since I was a little kid back in the 60s. Purple berries in fall stain the heck out of everything. We made ink from it for art class. It's poisonous to mammals. Both the leaves, berries, roots, etc..., yet people make poke salad out of the young leaves. They have to boil the leaves several times to get the poison out.....yikes! Why bother? I guess if you are hungry, you make choices. I dig it out every time I see it. The root is ridiculously long. But if you get them in the spring when the ground is still moist, usually use a good push with your foot on a shovel and out comes most of it. Don't let them get too big or they'll take over. Get them when they're small. And use gloves when handling it. The juices aren't good for people and skin contact. Good luck. :thumbsup:

They were taking over an area that was a old x-mas tree farm with dying scotch pine. I had a company come in and clear out 1800 trees so I can control the pokeweed and buckthorn. It is much better now.

 

[RNeumann]

Yah I’m sure someone is dating my ex wife too......it’s all about perspective.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Yep. It's been around here since I was a little kid back in the 60s. Purple berries in fall stain the heck out of everything. We made ink from it for art class. It's poisonous to mammals. Both the leaves, berries, roots, etc..., yet people make poke salad out of the young leaves. They have to boil the leaves several times to get the poison out.....yikes! Why bother? I guess if you are hungry, you make choices. I dig it out every time I see it. The root is ridiculously long. But if you get them in the spring when the ground is still moist, usually use a good push with your foot on a shovel and out comes most of it. Don't let them get too big or they'll take over. Get them when they're small. And use gloves when handling it. The juices aren't good for people and skin contact. Good luck. :thumbsup:

My Mom has cooked, and I have eaten a ton of poke greens...or Poke Sallet (salit).