Invasive plant horror stories
by
Douglas Hunt
Hometalk member and gardener extraordinaire Barb Rosen recently wrote of her nightmare experience with chameleon plant, Houttuynia cordata, and what may be her life-long project of getting rid of it. But Barb surely isn't alone in having planted something she regretted. For me, my biggest mistake was planting gooseneck loosestrife, Lysimachia clethroides. I'd heard how "rambunctious" the plant could be, but I had a dry, shady spot where I couldn't get anything else to take hold and bloom. Well, the lysimachia did, and soon started looking for territory to annex. I've since sold the house and it may have taken over the entire property by now for all I know. Here's your chance to sound off and put up the warning flag about plants that belong on a "do not plant" list. Please post a photo if you have one, and let us know what zone you're in.
It looks harmless enough! (Photo via Bluestone Perennials.)
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I can’t get rid it it!
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sweet annie. I thought I was rid of it a few years ago, then last year I dug up a flower bed where it had grown years ago. Then this year it appears again with a vengeance. I pull it out before it seeds with hopes that this will get rid of it again. It smells great. but that doesn't alleviate the nuisance factor when it appears in a bed at the other side of the house. I suppose I can thank critters for that.
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Does anyone know how to get rid of trumpet vine? It is the absolute worst plant! I’ve been trying to kill it for three years now. It actually gets into the foundation and water pipes! I’ve even tried thrush from Lowe’s ! Help!
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How to get rid of gooseneck????