Invasive plant horror stories

by
Douglas Hunt
(IC: professional)
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.
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Published June 9th, 2013 6:10 PM
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2 of 565 comments
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Liron alterovich on Mar 27, 2022
I can’t get rid it it!
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Mary D on Aug 27, 2023
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!
Does anyone know how to get rid of creeping Charlie. It’s invading my entire lawn. I know it’s a weed, not a flower but looking for any help. We’ve tried all the weed killers normally used for lawn. Can’t kill it.
How to get rid of gooseneck????