Invasive Plant versus Pretty Landscaping

[Alan W.]

Dont forget Japanese honeysuckle and burning bush痴. When I cut these or any other plant, tree, or vine that I want completely gone I paint the trunk with straight 2-4D. It wont come back.

 

[bunyip]

I forgot about the gorse, we also have hawthorn with its huge spikes which is used as a fence, nasturtium takes over, we eat the leaves and flowers but once it gets a hold it takes over, multiple types of bamboo that is near on impossible to get rid of once established.
Patersons Curse/Salvation Jane introduced as a food for cattle and sheep took hold and has taken over a lot of the country, drought will not kill it, prickly pear and the beetle that was supposed to kill it and the cane toad that was supposed to kill them, now we have all three.
The list goes on and on just as I am sure it does in the US and all/most introduced by well intentioned forebears.

 

[Jstpssng]

I can't think of any invasive plants around here except for milfoil, an aquatic plant that takes over lakes or ponds. Most boat launch areas have signs to be aware of it.

We have some variety of sumac that can be aggressive about spreading, but it only seems to thrive in low, wet-ish areas. It had taken over about half the yard when we bought the place, but once I bush-hogged it, occasional mowing keeps it under control. Don't necessarily want to get rid of it altogether...the flowers are pretty and fragrant and the roots do a good job stopping erosion.

It may not be on your property but you most likely have knotweed and Norway Maple in the area, if nothing else. The latter isn't as bad up here as it is in more southerly parts of the country.
Sumac is native, and not really considered invasive- although it can be a PITA if you are trying to do something with open areas. Elderberry is another native species which I'm starting to see in areas far from town; also Lupine, which is invasive although most people don't want to hear about it.

 

[mapper]

It is now illegal to sell a lot of invasive exotic plants here, I think ivy and scotch broom are on the list.
A local family that I knew growing up, their grandparents were responsible for introducing himalaya blackberries to north America after a trip to China. I'm sure that more than a few people would like to pee on their grave for that gift!

 

[PILOON]

"milfoil, an aquatic plant that takes over lakes or ponds"

Around here we have many lakes that are infested with it.
Each little piece will take root nd soon completely take over a lake.

Procedure is to wash a boat prior to launching in another body of water.
Naturally they all say 'sure I washed it yesterday' !

City offered to install a station with special wipes but who would monitor, or even clean up the used wipes.
As lake owners we wanted to block off the public access but are told that would be illegal.
I pointed out that if our lake were polluted by milfoil their tax base would shrink drastically.
We are awaiting a council decision whereby they might lease the access to our association that we could then fence off that access.

The worst offenders are kayaks and canoes that like to explore out of the way waterways with itinerant week end fishermen being probably the worst.

 

[ruffdog]

Lake Geneva WI has a problem with Starry Stonewart, an invasive species.

Lagoon dredging postponed in battle with invasive species | | lakegenevanews.net

 

[plowhog]

It is now illegal to sell a lot of invasive exotic plants here, I think ivy and scotch broom are on the list.

It is illegal to sell in Nevada County, CA. But 90 minutes away the Home Depot nursery if full of it-- awaiting unsuspecting customers. I don't blame Home Depot-- I just don't think they know. I might ask the manager there.

 

[goeduck]

We have Himalayan blackberries, English Ivy, Canadian Thistle, Tansy Ragwort, Scotch Broom and Burdock to name a few.

 

[goeduck]

It is now illegal to sell a lot of invasive exotic plants here, I think ivy and scotch broom are on the list.
A local family that I knew growing up, their grandparents were responsible for introducing himalaya blackberries to north America after a trip to China. I'm sure that more than a few people would like to pee on their grave for that gift!

Grandpa Luther Burbank?
Himalayan Blackberry – June 218 Weed of the Month – Noxious Weeds Blog

 

[Oaktree]

It may not be on your property but you most likely have knotweed and Norway Maple in the area, if nothing else. The latter isn't as bad up here as it is in more southerly parts of the country.
Sumac is native, and not really considered invasive- although it can be a PITA if you are trying to do something with open areas. Elderberry is another native species which I'm starting to see in areas far from town; also Lupine, which is invasive although most people don't want to hear about it.

I've heard of knotweed, but don't think I've ever seen any. How do you tell a Norway maple from other varieties? Just from pictures online they looked similar.
As far as lupine goes...never knew it was considered invasive, though you do see some fields covered with it. My wife wants to plant some on an embankment on our property, and she barely even get it to grow, let alone spread!
Several towns around here host lupine festivals every June when it's in bloom, as I imagine they do in Maine as well.

Funny how blackberries are considered weeds/invasive plants in some parts of the country. They seem pretty well behaved here, we even welcome them on our property.