SHIFTING ROOTS

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Gardeners Worst Nightmares: 28 Perennials You’ll Regret Planting

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Perennial plants are a good investment.  Plant once and have flowers that bloom for years.  However, some plants that seem innocent enough literally take over the garden and quickly spiral out of control.  Others bloom for such a short time that they don’t seem worth the trouble.  Here’s a list of 28 perennials I’d rather not see in my next garden.

Disclaimer: This post contains plants that are problematic in USDA hardiness zones 2 and 3.  Some of these plants may not be problematic in your area.  If you have difficult growing conditions, you’ll want to put these plants on your next shopping list.  🙂 

Disclaimer #2: Just because your favourite plant is on this list doesn’t mean it is “bad” or you shouldn’t plant it. This list is intended for brand new gardeners who think these plants are low maintenance, then aren’t able to keep up with them when they get out of hand. I just wanted to spare them some heartache until they get better at gardening and are able to keep up with any more aggressive plants.

This post also contains affiliate links.  If you purchase something from my link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read more about it in my Privacy Policy.  Thanks!

The Invaders

1. Lily of the Valley

Hated by experienced gardeners everywhere, it’s best to confine this one to a pot if you can.

2. Anemone

Plant only if you like running around in circles trying to contain it.

3. Yarrow

I love yarrow, especially for making floral arrangements all summer long.  However, it will spread to your lawn and is very difficult to get out.

4. Ferns

If you’ve read this blog any amount of time, you know I really dislike ferns.  Last year I removed at least 100 from our yard, and this year I’m already at 22.  (I’ve only cleaned out the area that I worked on last year. . . grr.)  They look beautiful, but if you want to remove them it takes a lot of muscle power.  I recommend using a hand-held garden tiller like this one.

Update: I counted and kept track this season and I pulled out 218.  Yes, you read that correctly. . .218 ferns.

Curious about what’s in my backyard?  Check out what we started with and this years progress on our urban garden.

5. Lady Bells/Bellflower/Campanula

These are EVERYWHERE in my overgrown backyard and they are driving me crazy.  However, I’ve had decent luck keeping them under control since I dug up most of them last year.  This tied for most hated perennial in my local gardening Facebook group.

6. Daisies

Just don’t.  Yes, they are pretty, but they’ll be out of control within 3 years.

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7. Chinese Lanterns

I LOVE my Chinese lanterns, but they are slowly taking over my lawn.  The roots travel just below the surface, so chemicals are the only way to get them under control.

Related: 6 Truths New Gardeners Need to Know

8. Lemon Mint (Beebalm)

A beautiful herb that is so aggressive it will grow in gravel.  Enough said.

9. Goats Beard

Any plant that resembles a dandelion in full seed is probably not a good idea.

10. Persian Coneflower

Self seeding and fast-spreading.  Unless you have lots of goldfinches that will eat the seeds and keep them under control, don’t plant it.  See more photos at Dave’s Garden.

11. Soapwort

Very useful as a natural cleaner, but can run wild if it has ideal growing conditions.  Learn more about soapwort at The Herb Gardener.

12. Veronicas

When a plant’s other name is Speed Well, you know it’s going to overtake your garden in short order.

Ground Cover Gone Wild

13. Lamium

Another great solution for ground cover in a shaded area. . . until it takes over in 5 years.

14. Clover

Unless you want it as your lawn or have a horse to feed, don’t plant it.

15. Snow on the Mountain/ Bishop’s Goutweed

While it works great for ground cover in a shaded area, you will never, ever get rid of it.  In my poll on my local Facebook Gardening group, this tied bellflowers as the most regretted plant.

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Keep it in a Container

16. Mint

You know that friend who is always trying to pawn off mint to you?  This is why.

Does a plant have mint in it’s name?  Chances are it’s super invasive.  Catmint and Lemon mint, I’m looking at you.

17. Shamrocks

Shamrocks are beautiful indoor container plants, but become an invasive headache if planted outdoors.

18. Oriental Limelight

Cut back aggressively in June and DO NOT plant anywhere outside of a container.  For more information, check out perennials.com.

Too-Short-Blooming-for-the-Effort-Perennials

19. Irises

Irises are so gorgeous, but it seems like they last for 2 days and then they’re done.  They can also get out of control if not divided regularly.

20. Day Lilies

There are so many beautiful day lilies, but the variety I’ve grown seems to bloom for less than a week and take up a lot of space.  If you plant the common orange one, it will take over your pretty specialty hybrid ones over the years.  And that would be tragic!

Want to Create a Perennial Garden that Blooms from Spring to Fall?

Click here to find out how!

Difficult in Saskatchewan

21. Any plant labeled Zone 4A or Higher

It doesn’t matter if you’re going to put it in a south facing spot right against the house. . . it will die.  Unless you live in the southern-most areas of the province you can maybe scrape by if you mulch it well.  Enjoy your zone 4A-ish privilege.  Nope. . .not bitter at all. . .

22. Roses

While not impossible to grow, especially if you choose a variety bred for the prairies, it is best left to more experienced gardeners.

23. Dahlias, Calla Lilies, or any other plant that you have to winter indoors

Unless you like that sort of thing.  Carry on.

Update: Since I first wrote this post I have come to love this sort of thing. But I don’t recommend it if you’re brand new to gardening, as you likely will not remember to bring them in for the winter.

The Impossible to Kill

24. Rhubarb

When I was young my Dad dug out our rhubarb plant at least a foot and half down and sprayed it with round-up.  It still came back.  I personally like having a rhubarb plant, but any more than one is excessive.

25. Raspberries

While the fruit is delicious, be prepared for your canes to spring up in unexpected places.

26. Snow on the Mountain/ Bishop’s Goutweed

It’s so hated it deserves to be listed under two categories.

27. Hollyhock

Hollyhocks only live for two or three years but are masters of reseeding themselves.

28. Comfry

While super useful as a medicinal plant, comfry plants can take DECADES before they start to decline.  Learn more about it at The Spruce.

29. Perennial Bachelor’s Button

Another prolific self-seeder.  Save yourself the headache and plant the annual version from seed instead.

30. Virgina Creeper

The good news: it will grow in practically any light or soil condition.  The bad news: it will grow in practically any light or soil condition.

31. Tansy

The tansy weed can produce up to 150 000 seeds a plant that remain viable for up to 15 years. (Source: bcinvasives.ca)

P.S. Wondering why there’s 31 perennials when the title is 28? I’ve since updated this post from my original publishing, and I counted one perennial twice because it ended up under 2 categories.

One mans weed is another man’s favourite flower.  If you really love any of these perennials, please don’t let this list stop you from planting them.  You can always just embrace the overgrowth.

Want to know what you should plant instead?  Here’s 53 Perennials you have to have.

and a video to see 20 of the easiest to grow:

A super special thank you to the gardeners in the Gardening in Saskatchewan Facebook Group.  Your generosity is amazing and this post would not have been possible without you!

If you’re reading this and you live somewhere warmer, you might enjoy 50 more perennials you’ll regret planting, a compilation from my readers in other places of what perennials have been disastrous for them.

Did I miss anything?  I’d love to hear about your perennial gardening regrets.

Want to Create a Perennial Garden that Blooms from Spring to Fall?

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Comments

  1. Thank you for the zone info!!! I am trying to get an idea of wtf we are!!!!! No ones else seems to give such a straight answer
    Reply

    • Most of Saskatchewan is zone 3A or 3B. The southernmost places are 4A, and anywhere from Prince Albert and north is 2B.
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      • Kristen, thank you for the info about what not to plant. I would like to add a couple of periennels to your list. One is "Primrose". It has dainty looking pink flowers, about medium size. I fell in love with it at the Garden Center. I only planted 2 of them in small containers in my garden the summer of 2016. It wasn't long & they were everywhere. This Spring they overtook my entire garden. The more I pull them up, the faster they spread. They only bloom in the cooler weather, when it gets warmer in summer, they stop blooming but their stems & leaves remain. A true Nightmare! The second one is Ivy. If you plant Ivy near your house, it climbs all over your house. It attaches itself to your house & when you pull it off, it takes the house paint with it. I had to re-paint the side of my house where it was growing. What a mistake planting Ivy!
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          • another invasive plant is the morning glory! I can't believe they actually sell seeds!! Horrible stuff

          • F you live in the southern tier of the US, don’t plant Asian ivy unless you want to spend a lot of time sculpturing it along a walk. It’s highly invasive and you literally have to burn it out to get rid of it.

        • my bane of existence for the past 9 years have been the groundcovers that the people that had the house Before us planted. (What possessed them, I don't know! Is there a garden lucifer gnome???) They planted vinca minor, st.john's wort and then vinca major!!! Triple threat! The front yard is an eighth of an acre, not huge but more than big enough! Been trying to pull them up by roots...took 4 years and then it rained/snowed so much this past year all the area i had cleared (about 3/4 of the front yard) grew back! Finally said to H*** with it and grabbed the heavy weed-eater. I guess I will lay down a good soak of vinegar (the ground is already acidic, being in a pine forest) and then a thick layer of newspapers and can get pinewood chips from the fire dept from their free chipper program. Will spread them all over to cover the newspaper. Maybe then next year I can start uncovering bit by bit parts to work a garden in to of my own...either that or start doing small groupings of seating and container gardens....... Just warning about the vincas and the st. johns wort...
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          • Hopefully you have luck with that! Most of the ground covers will survive that first winter under heavy mulch...just went through this process--and its a chore for sure!

        • I don't actually hate most perennials, I'm just not as patient or willing to pick tons of stray plants at this stage in my life. I also have a yard that is overrun with ferns, lady of the valley and bellflower that I have been picking non-stop for three years, so it does make me a bit more salty. If you love it, you should plant it ;-)
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          • Thanks for a great article. I live in Nebraska (zone 5). 85 year-old house. 3 lots. Soil not great. Lots of sun. Some heavy shade. I want invasive plants in part of this, to replace weeds where I don't want grass. (I'm 73, so crazy, huh?) However, this year I did have black-eyed Susans take over the area south of my house where we cut down trees last fall. Not fun getting it back so I can plant sun-loving plants to replace the shade-lovers that I moved. But, thanks to you, I know more about what to plant where I want lots of color and what to plant in containers.

          • I too love black eyed susans, but found after years of trying to tame them that they simply have to have their own self contained garden. What a beautiful presentation. My biggest mistake was planting "obedient", a very pretty plant, named because once cut, you can bend the stems as you wish in a vase arrangement. BUT, it reseeds everywhere! At first I was delighted, and now am in my third year picking each stem out. I wish I had a field to spread them around as a beautiful wild flower (pink and white varieties).

          • Funny how some of your choices I also have trouble with and some I have trouble trying to make spread! I love my daisies and tho they do spread like crazy, I just thin them out every fall or Spring. They pull out fairly easily. Gooseneck, spiderwort and those orange day lilies are relentless as is malva. Everyone has their opinion on what they like, but I would have appreciated the warning on some of these before I planted them. Morning glories are just plain evil. They came to my yard uninvited.

        • I know...right? I cannot believe the advice given in this article....absurd!!!! Day Lillies, Iris, Roses, lily of the valley, veronica, Hollyhocks????? Unfreakingbelievable!!! How can you have a flower garden without these staples? You have totally blown this flower gardeners mind!!! I have no problems with any of these....
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          • Cindy, I agree with you 100%. Most of the “hated” perennials in this article are staples in my zone 7 flower gardens. Different strokes for different folks I guess, but I sure would hate for a new gardener to read this and dismiss these amazing flowers without further research. I love sharing bouquets of daisies, irises, roses and day lilies with friends, and some of the plants such as clover and dandelion are pollinators for bees. Oh, and the butterflies that feed on my morning glories that climb my chicken pen are such a pleasure to watch. Actually, butterflies are attracted to any flower with nectar.

          • I agree with Cindy and Debbie. Iris, Roses, Daylilies, Hollyhocks? They are my favorites. Zone 7B people pull into our drive all the time to tell me how beautiful my Gardens are.

      • I planted a flower that looks like a daylily but the purple blooms bloom only in the mornings and I planted it a few years ago now it's has taken over my whole yard
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        • The "wild" type of daylily, the Orange one, is invasive and will take over the hybrid ones until they are all Orange. I live in zones 8 and 9 and have had terrible problems with purslane and morning glory.
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          • I don't think these "wild" orange daylilies are daylilies at all. You are so right, they fill in nicely and then take over, so plant carefully. I find them delightful and so easy to split if they get out of hand. In upstate NY, we call them orange "ditch lilies" because you find them along the roadside everywhere. haha.

      • Roses, Irises, raspberries, Dahlias, rhubarb, day lilies and few other flowers are not something you can regret at all. They're just wonderful. However it's an opinion, the most annoying plants which you'll regret truly hasn't been mentioned here. Mexican flame vine, it keeps popping up no matter how much you pull them out same for American evergreen, Golden pothos and sweet potato vine.
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    • To each their own ~ I saw maybe 6 i'd be mad at myself for planting. I have about 10 listed and do not regret having any of them. Perhaps it's the size of the garden (s) that could be a problem. I'm very fortunate to have 4 acres. I see another 10 i'd love to have..invasive or not ! Beauty in the eyes of the beholder. I love attracting butterflies, birds...especially hummingbirds and have read many of these perennials attract all. Thanks for the article anyway !
      Reply

        • We had cats, and I planted one catmint plants. All of my kitties have since passed away, but I’m STILL digging out catmint that totally took over 2 of my gardens! UGH!
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          • OH YES!!!!! I tried for several years to get it established before the cats pulled it up and rolled in it. Then it got a head start and now is all over, BUT I tolerate it because when the cats role around in it they do not get fleas and ticks. So far no one has mentioned Ajuga. I have been fighting it for many years now.

          • Besides bindweed, I have a problem with the neighbors five cats using my garden as their bathroom. My other neighbor has a walnut tree and i now have walnut seedlings popping up everywhere. I have so many of these invasive plants and it's a full time job keeping up with them. ie. lily of the valley, mint, oregano, vinca major, raspberries, holllyhocks. I believe the bindweed came when we got free soil from the city for our raised garden bed.

        • When I still lived in a house I read somewhere to plant mint in a pot and sink it in tho soil. Noooooo it’s jumps out anyway! . While mint invading your garden is a nuisance, it’s is not so terrible if it invades your lawn unless you’re married to the idea of a one-species lawn(not the most environmentally-friendly idea). Mowed mint (camomile too) smells lovely.
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          • They plant camomile in the lawns of Buckingham Palace for the scent. I have mint in parts of my lawn and quite frankly, I love it.😉

        • It is. It's for people who want to get started in gardening but might not realize how much work actually goes into it or what plants might end up being invasive if they don't look after them every year.
          Reply

          • Beginner gardener here, you hit the target audience! I bought my first home and planted my first garden this summer. I really appreciate this helpful article! I planted peppermint and spearmint in a raised border bed on a rocky slope. It is erosion prone and hard to mow, consequently the rest of the bed is filled with hardy plants like coneflower, coreopsis, sage, milkweed. They've only had a few months to get established so if I made a rookie mistake planting mint I'd like to nip it in the bud ;) Will the rocky soil and aggressive neighboring plants help keep mint in check or would you suggest I dig the mint up now before spring comes?

          • What part of the world are you in? Do you know what kind of soil you have? (Where I'm from tends to have really good soil, so some of the plants listed here aren't as big of nuisances in other areas.) It sounds like the mint is in a confined area, so it should be okay. However, if those other plants aren't super established, it might take over. If you're really worried, take it out this spring and move it to a pot. You can even dig that pot into the ground if you'd really like to keep it in the one area.

        • Besides Virginia Creeper, I cannot think of a single one of these other ones I would give up in my gardens....so not understand this article at all!!!
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      • I agree....I was shocked when I read this article!!! Most of these plants are fantastic and I have never had a problem with any of the besides Vinca Major that the previous owner planted....the worst one is Autumn clematis and even then I let it grow certain places....but it will take over a garden even tho it is beautiful in the fall and smells delightful....just don't do it!!! and Virginia Creeper is a weed...and very invasive but Holly Hocks...day lillies.....veronica, lily of the valley, roses ...daisies????? I would plant them in a heartbeat!!!
        Reply

      • I'm with you on this one. My mint is excessive, but I drink lemon mint water daily in summer. I personally love a wild garden that produces all summer long. Dies it take a lot of work, yes, but it gives so much back to the pollinators, birds, and us. If you could train a groundhogs to eat what you don't want, now that I'm all for!
        Reply

    • This is the most crazy info I've ever read. Most of these plants are plants I love and have in my yard. You have to know how to manage them / not eradicate them! How sad. You probably hate kittens, too.
      Reply

      • Just the little ones. . . kidding!!! It's true, if you know how to manage them, most of these plants don't have to be a problem. It also depends on your soil conditions and growing zone. This article was originally written with plants that are problematic in zone 3 in mind. Since then I've learned a lot from everyones comments.
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        • I agree on every one, having had them all out of control one time or another. Wish I'd known this info as a young gardener 30 years ago. Thank you!
          Reply

          • I also agree, I have had most of them except the hated lily,of the valley which is one,of the worst weeds ever. Some of these cannot be controlled unless you use,something like roundup on them not a good choice but sometimes necessary. We tried to get rid of virginia creeper and after digging about 10 feet down and still finding viable roots we did resort to round up and it took 2 years of roundup usage to finally destroy them. Any new gardener that plants any of these plants will soon hate gardening. Only a fool or unlearned person would purposely plant them.

      • Why so many negative comments on this post? Snarky negative comments..... here’s a tip... READ the entire article, if you do you read her explanation as to WHY she feels that way... she also states “IF HOU LIVE THEM, PLANT THEM”.... people can be so nasty these days... I read as many negative Nancy’s as I could..... then I had to respond.... enjoy your plants.... I love the information... I’m not one for chasing plants all over the yard.... I moved into a home over a year ago... whoever was here before me stuck plants in any free space they could find... and a lot of them spread..... so, no it hasn’t been fun for someone whose not a Sweet Young thing, who has a bad back and other pain issues to try to get my yard under control.... garden on folks!!!!!
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        • Yes thx for the info I wish I wouldn't have let the beauty fool me when I bought them but i did read in time for my mints lol they r in a pot I have a very little yard and I just bought 2 yarrows and 2 veronicas I told my husband I can't wait til next yr when they've established I also planted a vine and after reading this went out and looked around and albe darned if they're ain't 5 I planted 2 3 r babies lol well atleast I caught it in time for the mint thank u
          Reply

    • But ferns reproduce by spores, and those carry easily on the wind. Better in containers if spreading is a concern, but maybe best in caontainera away from the ground/on a large patio?
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      • Ferns can also spread by their roots. Hay scented fern roots form mats several inches thick and it's awful to remove. Keep in mind that not ALL ferns are invasive! Some behave very nicely. Please do research on what works on your area. Ferns are beautiful, and many are non-invasive.
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        • Yes, I agree. First it depends on where you live and your garden knowledge. And yes your ability to manage any particular one. I would never plant lamium as I've had it take over areas I've not yet gotten to. What you show as 'fern' is I believe bracken, not a fern at all. Very annoying as it runs and pops up everywhere. All you can do is keep pulling it up, gatting as much of the runners as you can. Ferns, on the other hand, spread via spores but they do so most sparingly. I have many and wish they would more easily self propogate. I live in a 7B-8A climate so pretty perfect if they were going to easily propigate.
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  3. Oh wow good to know. I really like some of these but if I really feel I need them then they'll go in planters. I'm working on getting my new yard in shape. We just bought a home in a new state so your zone info helps too.
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    • Best thing to control chives, in addition to container planting, remove ALL the pretty purple flowers before they go to seed. Has worked wonders for me!
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      • Thanks for the excellent tip! Hmm. . . now should I remove mine or not this year? I kind of want them to spread so I'll have some to share.
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        • Ignore the trolls Kristen, I enjoyed your blog and appreciate anyone trying to save me some work in my garden. I was thinking about ferns and now I’m rethinking it. I’m in zone 4/5.
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          • Thanks for the encouragement! I think there are some ferns that don't get out of control, but whatever is in my backyard is an absolute nightmare. If you do buy a fern, buy it from an actual garden centre and ask the staff for advice on picking one.

  6. Great tips! I am a beginner at gardening and just planted a bunch of flowers in my front flower beds. I'm pretty sure I didn't plant anything from your list!
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        • I found that out just recently. I have a plant in the house and the branches are now about 2 feet long. It will have to have a trim soon!
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        • Mom planted ivy in the woods to avoid dealing with leaf raking on that acre. 50 years later it is the ivy that ate the forest. Was 25 feet up the trees. Goats brought in did not control it. Finally a winter was bad enuf the deer dug thru the snow and dined, also ate 8 ft up the trees. Next spring it was sort of trimmed back. 17 yr old boys digging plus a backhoe when we dug the septic mostly got the last of it. She planted 10 shoots. 50 years later it was an acre! Worst part about ivy is that it hibernates any stray poison ivy so getting it under control is a nightmare. Skip the ivy.
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          • Ivy is the worst thing to plant near a tree or a building. English Ivy is considered a noxious weed here in the Pacific Northwest. When we moved into our house 10 years ago the woods on our property were infested. Trees 100 feet tall had ivy with trunks 6” in diameter that completely engulfed the trees. You wouldn't think something that starts out so pretty could take down a 200 year old tree, but it can, and it does. The ivy literally chokes the life right out of them. We ended up having to clear about 2 acres of dead trees and fallen trees. The rest we started by cutting the ivy at the ground, then removing the Ivy trunks about 4 feet up the tree. For 10 years we’ve been removing the ivy from the ground. Unfortunately there is no way to remove the ivy from the tree itself. You just can’t get up that high... What you are left with is dead ivy all the way up into the tree tops. The bad news is that it is quite ugly..The good news is that you have saved the trees... It has taken 10 years, but now that the tree can grow, eventually the dead ivy will break off in pieces. Most of our trees have lost the dead ivy up about 40 feet. That still leaves from 60 to 100 feet to go, but at least it’s not as ugly... The other bad thing is all the dead ivy that breaks off makes a huge pile a couple feet high that all needs to be cleaned up... This has been a 10 year project and I figure within 10 years our forest will finally be ivy free and healthy.... Don’t plant Ivy!

  7. This post made me nervous - we bought a house where the lady had already done tonnnnnnns of landscaping and I don't know what anything is. Luckily, none of the plants are any of the ones you just listed! Hallelujah!
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    • I did the same thing!! I still have no idea what all is in my garden. The whole front yard which really isn't that big was covered in various plants. I had them all dug up except for under the front window and out grass in. I like it and I've received compliments from a few of my neighbors!
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    • Lucky you. I am trying to keep careful notes for whomever gets my house one day. I've practically killed myself in this yard and I want someone to continue to love it. As it is, I live in good old HOT HOT HOT Texas and would kill, well, not really, to grow some of these. Most of them turn up their toes as soon as summer hits here. My sweet little primrose took one whiff of Texas in the summer and turned to dust. My raspberries struggle and haven't even seen one berry this year. It must be wonderful to garden where your plants don't cook. While my zucchini has leaves that would put the biggest elephant ears to shame, there is no fruit this year. I am so sad. The only thing really thriving is cannas....even the ferns I planted refused to grow. In my next life I am going to live along the nw Pacific Coast. What is a bane to you people would be a glorious here. I am envious.
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      • I'm hearing the same thing from everyone who has commented in Texas. I'm sorry your growing conditions are so tough!
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    • Apparently there is an app that you can get to help identify plants. You take a picture and voila you get a name. Don't know the apps name though. Maybe some one else does.
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      • For PC's, go to "images.google.com. For android, search for app called, "Google Goggles". Follow the instructions. It doesn't directly tell you what an item is, but will display similar images which you can peruse to find out what it is. Note: Kristen, read the sentences you wrote about affiliate links. There's an important-to -correct error.
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  8. I had to laugh when I passed by the mint photo! I planted it and soon realized how 'happy' aka invasive it is! The next year dug it up and buried a pot below ground and replanted it in it. I love having fresh mint, so that was my easy solution!
    Reply

  9. Mint, oh my god the mint! I didn't realize it was hardy when I emptied my herb container in the compost pile at the end of the season. Boy do I regret that life choice! It has taken on it's own zip code in my backyard and it just keeps growing. In fact the worse I treat it the more it thrives! I warn COMPLETE strangers about mint when they are looking at them at the plant stores! LOL!
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    • Oh no!! That sounds terrible! Good luck trying to get it under control. At our house it's ferns (currently I've removed 118 this year alone) and bell flowers. Ugh.
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      • I have a love/hate for 4oclocks. Where I planted them they are perfect, where they have jumped Not So Much. Grrrrr Same with Obedience plant and Bouncing Betty grrrrr Over watering kills off my mint and daisy
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        • Good to know about killing off mint and daisy! I'll be sure to share that with my gardening group.
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      • We renovated our porch two winters ago and the constant packing of the snow killed all of the goutweed surrounding our house. All of it, not a single plant came back. I was shocked.
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      • I can’t believe orange trumpet vine Campsis Radicans isn’t on this list. It is the Satan of the plant world. It travels underground and pops up in every garden bed, in my hedges, under my pool, up against the rails of fencing, in my lawn. In my butterfly bushes, my lilies. I’ve read so many internet message boards trying to find a way to kill it. You can’t pull it up, it’s too deep. Digging down and putting weed killer on roots doesn’t work. From what I’ve read, only digging very deeply, cutting it and pouring boiling water on it works. The problem is I have it everywhere and how can I keep water at boiling temperature? And it’s in my garden beds so it would have to all be killed in the spring, when it’s pouring outside. If you leave any of it, it comes back worse. I have arthritis. I know I can’t dig that much that fast and my landscaper refuses to do it. I can’t blame him - who wants to accidentally scald themselves? I bought it at Lowe’s about 20 years ago. It was sold under the Martha Stewart brand back when she branded everything in the world. I hate her for it. This plant should be banned from cultivation everywhere.
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  10. Oh Comfry! My mil & I spent years digging it up & spraying layers of roundup everywhere. Every single year we've continued to do this. Last year we took the last few bits, soaked everything in vinager & laid down thick pieces of cardboard, rug and plywood with rocks on top. Condo board gave me warnings even though I explained that I was following the previous rules to get rid of comfrey. So we put pretty flowering baskets on top & decorative rock ;). The entire 3 months of summery weather. Then knock on wood, this year there's been nothing but regular weeds yet. 7 @$!#% years to get rid of it! ! I had originally planted it because it looked leafy & healthy. Sigh. Then I found out so dI'd the entire area
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  11. Hi, while I agree with a few on your list (bishop's weed, comfry, lilly of the valley), I feel that a lot of the others should be used. If you really enjoy gardening and don't mind moving and /or sharing plants, some of the ones on your list will make great additions in my opinion. Some you can't get rid of when you try and those are really the ones to avoid. But if you just have to divide them to control, then I feel they are an asset. No doubt some of these are TERRIBLE, but not all. Thanks for warning others about the dangers of planting without research!
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    • The worst is yucca!! It's roots go so deep and When you try to get rid of it it produces lots of suckers!!
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    • I agree, I have Shasta Daisy's and they have been growing for about 8 years. They never die out completely but the also have not spread from the back edge of the garden and bloom beautifully every year. Love my daisies. We live in middle Georgia so they have great growing weather
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      • I always wanted drifts of Alaska daisies I finally got my dream that after growing them from seed lovingly caring for them watched them in just A few years take over my yard and my life with dead heading thousands of bunches that just seemed to appear over night one Spring 😯wouldn't you know it was at the same time I had major surgery and medical problems going on so all I could do is enjoy the beauty of my dream! Ha! Ha! Three years later there might be six bunches left if I even see a baby start I pull it right away! It was a lot of hard work to get them under control but I finally did it! Bunch by bunch! Note snails and slugs love daisies! Funny how some things can be so pretty until you look under the pretty! 🐌 All Dead Flower heads are tossed right away in the green recycling barrel. Happy gardening! Remember it's about enjoying our time with the peace you get from diging in the dirt and smelling the flowers and if we're really quiet we can watch the birds play!
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  12. Good article. My unintentional perennial invader: Alfalfa! Courtesy of my bird seed feeder. It's pretty, but it roots DEEP quickly and spreads wide in any soil without additional water in our drought. My neighbors must think I'm nuts. I was outside yesterday vacuuming up millions of seeds. Beware of anything growing under your bird feeders. :)
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    • Oh no! I never would have thought of that! Maybe it would be helpful to put some mulch underneath the spot?
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      • Buy or make your own non sprouting bird seed. Best you do your own research on making your own but it basically involves baking regular birdseed. If I remember correctly it is claimed to not alter the nutritional value of the seed for the birds, just sterilizes the seed so it won't germinate. My problem with bird feeders was not with sprouting seeds but the dropped seeds were a buffet for mice and voles the raised havoc with my garden and invaded the house. %#€>*%#, I hate mice so I gave up on feeding the birds.
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      • No to mulch. The seeds will germinate in it. I know from experience! We finally put bricks around the feeders and filled in between them with a concrete filler. Finally, no more sprouting seeds. Just sweep once in a while.
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