Invasive Plants - Know what you are getting into

[drtreelove]

There are two current discussions on this forum regarding plants that could be considered "invasive".  There are many trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers that have attractive or useful qualities, and are chosen based on limited information. This is just a heads-up, do a little searching for information on growth habits and mature sizes of plants before you make a decision on selecting them for your garden.  If you don't, you may regret it and invite an impossible management headache, or have to mutilate or kill a plant because you didn't look far enough ahead to plan for long term growth. 

 

My father was the landscape architect in the family, I became a tree care and landscape maintenance specialist. For over 50 years now I have been called on constantly to solve the problems of overgrowth for the site, or hard to control invasiveness of certain plants.  Take it from the voice of experience, - know what you are getting into. And be responsible for the sake of neighbors and community and the environment. Don't import a nightmare. On the other-hand, there are plants listed as invasive that are not that bad in the right situation. 

 

If you are a landscape designer, it is your responsibility to look beyond the design and aesthetic properties. Know the plants you are recommending and their mature size and requirements. Use compatible plantings for growing conditions and water use.

 

When in doubt, its so easy to search, or ask.