Don't Plant These 5 Things!

[@angelabrandt4052]

Zone 8b. Because mint is so well known as an invasive, I feel a little silly admitting I planted it in a raised bed years ago and then was surprised to find it had jumped into the flower beds and turf. It's been an ongoing battle. Pulling it has become as much part of my morning routine as walking the garden with coffee and filling the birdfeeder. On the plus side, I always have fresh mint for sweet tea, and mowing smells wonderful!

[@CharlotteFairchild]

I juice the mint. It is anti fungal.

[@CharlotteFairchild]

I have sold mint at a farmers market.

[@sallyinarkansas6644]

Cut the flowers before they seed.

[@angelabrandt4052]

@@sallyinarkansas6644 They don't ever really flower. They seem to spread by runners.

[@petalparker5]

It didn’t jump into the beds it tunnelled underground 😱 lol.

[@michellesabatini5288]

Zone 6A Michigan I planted lily of the valley in my garden and was absolutely in love with my small patch for the first few years. By year 6, it started spreading faster and soon was filling up the bed and crowding out other plants! I dig out huge areas of it every spring to try and keep it contained- the root system is massive and very hard to get rid of!! I still love the flowers and fragrance but wish I had planted it in a container!!

[@CharlotteFairchild]

Mine hasn’t become a thug yet. I had no idea!

[@karenlevy802]

I had to dig up an entire garden bed last spring to separate the lily of the valley from the roots of all my perennials. I did put some lily in a window box container because the flowers are so wonderful. Now I put the window box in the sun and when the blooms are done I move the window box to a shaded gravel area.

[@suzannemartinez4420]

Zone 9a passion vine and mirabilis jalapa (4o'clock flower) tool me several years to eradicate.

[@carbooth49]

I live in zone 6. I planted lily of the valley as my mum, when she was alive, loved this plant, but no one told me how invasive it would be. Just when I think I’ve removed it in an area, the next summer it’s popped up again. 😖 I now have a planter with lily of the valley in it. If it dies in one of our Ontario’s cold weather I don’t worry about it. But nothing has happened to it yet.

[@m.m145]

Don't bother planting them with deer around as they will never be allowed to grow.

[@BukeyeStateGardening]

I’m in zone 6b. One plant that I would advise against planting is Vinca minor. While I did not plant it, it has been growing under the lilac bushes outside my house. While I was doing a rejuvenation pruning on the lilacs, they were absolutely everywhere! While they are pretty, they spread so easily by runners. If you are considering planting vinca minor, I would advise you to reconsider.

[@LindaVater]

Vinca major has been a problem here…

[@jackiew4827]

Dang I just purchased Vinca Minor plants at Lowes. The purple flowers are so pretty. I started to worry when Linda mentioned wild violet being invasive and annoying! Now I need to rethink the Vinca from your advice!

[@trishferrer8209]

@@jackiew4827 maybe you could plant it in pots, and let it cascade over the edges. I would not plant in-ground. The previous owner did that, and it is covering an ENORMOUS area on a hill. We found huge landscaping stones covered in vinca minor. Apparently someone put a border around a tree, and planted vinca minor, which went rogue, so we are removing the stones.

[@trishferrer8209]

@@LindaVater if we sold plugs of the vinca minor in our yard (7b, W. TN) we would be millionares.

[@jackiew4827]

@@trishferrer8209 perfect idea for putting the vinca in pots! Thank you! In addition, Linda is right about hydrangeas that bloom on old wood/new wood. Pain and disappointment is what they should be called!!!

[@jenniferkanan6489]

I’m in Zone 5. I bought a citronella/lemon balm plant at a big box store. It said it would repel insects and send off a citrus scent. It did not live up to its advertising. I pulled out the two plants because it was so invasive it spread everywhere! The birds liked the seeds it had and now it’s all over my yard! And the mosquitoes mocked it! It is definitely a “never again!” plant.

[@SharkSandwich451]

OMG. The previous homeowners made the mistake of planting lemon balm in the ground. I have it all over my lawn, I pulled out two giant bushes across my yard last year and countless pop up plants behind other plants. 6b = keep it in a pot only.

[@cherylhubert2713]

I’m in zone 8b. No more wisteria to much to keep it trimmed. No more trump vine. Happy Gardening this year!

[@kimberlydearing6305]

I agree with you on trumpet vine! My neighbor planted it and I've been fighting it ever since!

[@kaynucklehead1633]

I don't have first hand knowledge of wisteria although I've seen it when it isn't in bloom and it looks awful. I agree 100% about the trumpet vine. I tried everything including pouring some gas on it to kill it. I got rid of it by selling the building it was on. I bet that vine is still thriving.

[@suran396]

Wisteria is beautiful, but brutal. It will kill your trees, travels underground huge distances, and will eventually have a "trunk" as large as your thigh. My husband used to say he wanted wisteria. A few years ago we bought a house that had wisteria running wild and he's been fighting it since day 1. He is no longer a fan. LOL

[@robinluchsinger2493]

I’m a zone 8b and morning glory is almost impossible to get rid of or control in my area. My neighbor in my old neighborhood had it and it would run under the fence and take over my side garden, intertwining amongst everything. When I would try and pull it up, the underground runners would snap off. And I’m pretty sure I could hear the plant laugh. I don’t like to use chemicals so I tried vinegar sprays and even a torch. It is prolific.

[@beth285]

I’m in 8b as well. Purchased 2 morning glory plants, then returned after reading how invasive the are.

[@robinluchsinger2493]

@@beth285 good call! They have pretty flowers and look so innocent but are so difficult to control.

[@eljaykayaye1186]

Regular morning glory I grew, was all fine. Neighbor planted everlasting morning glory. Grows through winter here. You can't get rid of it. Watch out for different forms or varieties if plants. Those Latin names and specifics matter.

[@daisylovesparis]

Thank you for sharing! Same zone I wouldn’t recommend Passion vines! They are extremely hard to remove

[@CharlotteFairchild]

Black plastic near the bottom. It will cook the roots n plant if not in the shade.

[@GlitterPoolParty]

Thank hou Stuart! You rock for managing to record birds chirping while filtering out the annoying wind on a windy day!

[@Deandra89]

Oh yes! Those Bradford pear trees need to GO! I remember when everyone was planting them They are beautiful (before the storm damage) and fast growing so absolutely understandable but they are everywhere now here in Edmond and all over Oklahoma. I hope people consider feeding and sheltering the local wildlife as well as the look of a tree when they plant trees. Love this video Linda. So helpful and informative!!

[@annak804]

We planted old southern apple trees and some keifer pears

[@mkirby7815]

Bradfords are also prevalent further north in Kansas. They’re beautiful all over Wichita for a few weeks in March but it is alarming to see them invading the countryside, along with the cedars.

[@nachtegaelw5389]

They also smell SO BAD! I hate the weird yeasty smell

[@peggywaters2589]

My daughter lives in Edmond, Ok. I can’t remember any trees in her yard, but the strange thing is; baby bunnies show up in the spring

[@starababa1985]

This tree is the worst if you have any kind of respiratory problems. We have an area I avoid while biking whenever they bloom.

[@kathysparks571]

Florissant, Mo (stlouisco), Zone 6B, don't plant peppermint in landscape. It can break through asphalt

[@laraemitchell9064]

Many kinds of mint are invasive.

[@susanbaker2796]

Chesterfield, MO (St. Louis, County) 6b Amen, sister!

[@andreavella7742]

My daughter purchased a house in Edmond 2 years ago. The family behind them had creeping Jenny lining the common fence. I had learned from your video how invasive it is and shared that information with my daughter. Unfortunately it was an elderly woman living in that house so no chance of the plants being removed. Fast forward to a couple months ago the elderly woman moved out and a young couple moved in. My daughter befriended the new owners and together they removed all the creeping Jenny (hopefully).

[@chelseajones4141]

I'd like to eventually replace the creeping Jenny in my shade bed where the chartreuse color is a real highlight. It's really the only spot I need to fuss about to make sure it doesn't get in the lawn. It's easy to control in the gravel bed where nutrients are scarce. Do you know any good alternatives?

[@lindaburris4138]

I’m the elderly lady that likes Creeping Jenny.😆. But, I don’t plant it where it can spread to neighbors.

[@PuppyBiteforTrump]

Creeping Charlie is awful too.

[@commonlaw5400]

When I noticed my Creeping Jenny crawling up the brick I pulled it out, turned it upside down on a tarp so the harsh winter weather would assault it's roots. It LIVED!! in the trash it went.

[@tinamajors9786]

I love creeping Jenny and it sure knocked out the wild strawberries. The color is fantastic. And even in the winter it can still add greenery. It’s easily pulled up and you can also dig it up. I myself think there’s nothing more beautiful than creeping Jenny falling over a trellis or out of a pot.

[@chriswatts3253]

UK gardener. We have a radio show called Gardeners Question Time. If anyone phones in asking how to eradicate horsetail fern, the panel tells them to move house! The most invasive thing I naively planted was echinops. Ten years ago and still pulling it out. Such a great idea for a video Linda.

[@annisenhour4732]

Bradford Pear is on the do not plant list in NC, and if you take pictures of your tree and cut it down, you can be given another tree.

[@LindaVater]

Really?!

[@meredithrock]

It’s the same in SC.

[@laraemitchell9064]

I don’t even think they’re pretty when blooming!! And they smell bad and cause allergy flare ups.

[@susanbaker2796]

Per South Carolina College of Agrilculture, "Bradford pear trees are set to be banned in South Carolina in 2024, giving plant nursery owners a transition period to sell leftovers while they can. The ban is on new sales of the plant starting Oct. 1, 2024. There are bounties on this tree."

[@stephaniejohnson2937]

So interesting to see what people consider “ invasive “….I pull vinca vine that runs rampant in my zone 8a garden and my mother laments the fact that she (in zone 5 ) can’t take it and plant it in her plant containers :)

[@annnelson2044]

Have her try it as a houseplant.

[@ruthgoodhart4640]

I love that this was your Question of the Day. I’m going through comments and finding them very interesting. Some comments relate to my zone, so it’s helpful to know what NOT to plant (or to commiserate with those who have made the same planting mistake as me). It’s also fun to read through other comments, such as the lady in Australia’s who said that Lantana spreads voraciously. I have to treat Lantana as an annual here in zone 8A, though occasionally it will come back the following year.

[@ValeCreekCottage]

If you are anywhere in Australia do not plant any of the following: 1. Lantana 2. Morning Glory 3. Prickly Pear 4. Common Cotoneaster 5. Speedwell 6. Wild garlic 7. Arum lilies 8. Box Elder 9. Common blackberry (brambles) 10. Wandering dew These spread voraciously through our natural bush land, overtake native species and starve out our wonderful and unique wildlife.

[@damiennicol5369]

Love arum!

[@randomroses1494]

@@damiennicol5369 deadly poison.

[@sandrakicklighter2735]

Morning Glory is so aggressive in southern California I swear you can watch it grow.

[@Tdrom]

Linda, closer to the cold/winter, could you do a winterizing your plants. That would be great. Thanks

[@2025lrc]

7b. My neighbor planted violets 35 years ago. We have been battling them since. Spiderwort is terrible as well. The best thing about Bradford or Cleveland pear trees is they leaf out so early and lose their leaves late. They do smell like fish though.

[@monawolfe]

Blue Creeper, I saw someone mention it here in the comments a while back and ran out to dig up the 3 clumps I had planted last year. Boy was I glad I caught it when I did, it had already taken over the bed & the roots were everywhere. Thank you, whoever that was! No ground cover is safe apparently.

[@gayleroy8587]

Zone 5A. We have almost all of the invasive species named in Maine. The former owner loved bishops weed, barberry, autumn olive, goose neck lysmachia, ajuga, sedum, violets, wild rose, lily of the valley, and bell flower

[@bonniereed4218]

I hear you! Planted too many of those and now spend a lot of energy and time undoing!

[@marywhitfield7553]

Spiderwort is extremely invasive for me, but some say it is not for them. Roundup was the only thing we found that would kill it. Just this week I saw a plant or two. It was given to me 26 years ago. Love your top.

[@lindarose2244]

I’m seeing the spread of this in my garden too!

[@serometate1031]

I garden in 6b and made the mistake of putting English Ivy to trail up against the porch posts and it took over the house…it’s so hard to get rid of…I eventually cut it all off and continue to fight every year with it poking back up…it has a vigorous root system that sends out runners far and wide…

[@pamelaritch8587]

Still getting rid of Creeping Jenny and Nandina in zone 8a. The real problem are hackberry trees that come up in my flower beds. They are horrible and hard to dig up.

[@sueepling7280]

I'm in NE Ohio, zone 6a and I don't recommend mint or ferns. Unless...you want a lot of either taking over. I have found that both very hard to contain! I love fresh mint in my ice water, but it goes from manageable to out of control overnight. The ferns are great for a fence line or around the deck if you keep after them. I love your advice and informational videos ❤️

[@anacervantes1946]

Zone 9a -9b bradford pear was huge when we bought our home i loved the flowers and fall color hated the rotted / burned look on some of the branches, hated picking up the leaves too finally i gave my husband green light to chop all the way down and years later still fight some suckers , Wild Violet struggled the first year and then one day millions of seedlings were everywhere! I was so happy and now i spend hours pulling it out assoon as my fingers can get ahold of Bloom on old wood hydrangea i have one left on a pot i really hate waiting so wait no more i decided ill only do the new varieties especially sun / shade loving combo thank you Linda i have learned a lot this last years by the way i think the first part of this was my first time watching you have a wonderful season everyone!

[@garymcdade4446]

Sheila McDade here . . . THE BRADFORD PEAR here in Chattanooga has another big problem, when they propagate the seedlings revert the wild Asian pear that is their basic genetics and they have HUGE thorns that are 3 to 5 inches long! The only thing they are good for is making a crown of thorns for a visual aid in a Bible class. I call them the crown of thorn tree, lol. THE CYPRESS VINE is so invasive here in Chattanooga that it took me 3 years to rid myself of a tiny seedling my friend gave me. MINT is another invasive that I will never again plant. A small little pot that I kept in my kitchen window and then later put in my flower garden got roots as big around as my little finger and entangled in my blue berry bush and grew 5 feet tall. I am still fighting that stuff. Lastly 4 O’CLOCKS reseed too much for me and really, they are not that pretty I don’t think. Their blooms only open in the cool of the day and they don’t really pollinators like other flowers.

[@LindaVater]

Oh my word!!

[@zactines1522]

I’m in zone 8a. I live in Alabama, the one main plant I would never plant would be Albizia julibrissin common name is Persian silk tree. My neighbor planted one many years ago and it has shown to be invasive in my area. When the tree drops seeds and they germinate you can hardly dig them up and along with the roots running completely across my property, you can not dig to plant anything without having to cut threw the roots. If you don’t stay on top of removing the sprouts, your yard can be taken over by them

[@deevargas4780]

I garden in Austin Texas zone 8b. My suggestions for invasion plants to avoid are vinca minor, obedient plant, mexican marigold mint. All jump sidewalks and move from one area of the yard to another and are SO difficult to eradicate.. I can’t believe that nurseries sell obedient plant!

[@RootyToot123]

Super topic of discussion! My biggest invasive problem is Bermuda grass. Then Morning Glory, Vinca, Mexican feather grass, Trumpet vine and flowering Quince - and I planted all but the vinca which found it's way through my neighbors brick wall. Have had wild violets contained within the oak roots and iris rhizomes for 26 years. Oh, also Yaupon holly. What's invasive in one garden can be of value in another garden even in the same hardiness zone. Latest thug X10 is Rudbeckia Goldstrum. It skips the "sleep, creep" stages and just "leaps" all over the place. Fun (sort of) learning what works for you and what doesn't in one manner or other. Again, great subject.

[@jklynb]

I absolutely love wild violets and I wish my entire yard was nothing but violets , the flowers are beautiful and useful and the leaves are beautiful as well.

[@tommie827]

I can't seem to get them to grow. I have a few wild ones here and there.

[@Hungryhollerjan]

I have them in pots!

[@rachelfriend3780]

I love them as well, and I see no reason to remove them from my yard. They have never taken over so that we don’t have grass any more. But then I don’t remove dandelions either. Of course, I will pull them both out of a flower bed, just not out of the grassy areas.

[@kathydaugherty5203]

I love violets too. When I was around 7-10 yrs old, I dug up some violets from a field and put them in my moms flowerbeds. Her yard over the years got taken over entirely. It was beautiful. My mom laughs about it (now anyway), but she told me that her neighbors were not amused. Her yard is now mainly grass again finally. That was a very long time ago. Thanks for reminding me of something that I haven’t thought about in years..

[@dtoomey9174]

Barberry are invasive here in PA. I removed them and a burning bush from my yard but still noticed the barberry had spread into the woods. Also, barberry is a real nuisance when raking - almost impossible to get all the leaves out.

[@marisa941]

Those are ugly, to prune I had to wear 3 gloves, tossed in the trash, then I thought I should have sold them, but later someone posted how in pa now it made the list of forbidden ones, I still see them in bank, restaurants etc they call the landscape guys they trim them fancy but that is it, our hands on gardening I like to be able to deal myself and not feel like I am being punished! Bushes from hell!

[@1Thedairy]

I live in the South West of UK and the plants I would never grow in my garden are bamboo and English Ivy. I also have quite an invasive Lily of the Valley and wild violets but haven’t the heart to remove them all. Vinca isn’t a problem but self seeding Sage is, and certainly mint. Also Verbena and Coronaria (Rose Campion) self seeds like crazy. Honeysuckle and Jasmine are also very rampant and need to be controlled.

[@peggywaters2589]

I live in CA and I can testify about Honeysuckle popping up everywhere, but the Jasmine only grows where I plant it. I mean, the Jasmine will spread, which I want it to do, but it doesn’t pop up in random areas.

[@suemar63]

Zone 5b-- Sweet Autumn Clematis has overtaken a nearby farm--it is EVERYWHERE!! Also, Bishops weed (aegopodium), orange ditch lilies, and vinca are ones that have plagued my life. Great theme. Interesting to read what is problematic to others.

[@marybeth4002]

6b MI - I will never, ever plant English Ivy - I'm not sure which variety of the monster we have. My husband planted it 30 years ago and I just can't eradicate it. It's grown all over the brick, the screens and the vines seep throughout the lawn. Ugh. Do I recognize Keri as the guest that educated us about the different pumpkins at Brecks (?). Thank you, Keri. Stewart, stay where you feel comfortable and know how much we appreciate you. Linda, I LOVE that crocheted top each time you wear it especially layered as such today. :)

[@LindaVater]

Thanks dear!

[@connieparcaro7502]

I see a Bradford pear in bloom and I know my allergies will soon make me sick ! So I pretty much have to stay inside, until they are done flowering!

[@rhondabryanthistlethwaite5351]

My allergist said they are killing us all!!!

[@bethgaither1214]

Yep! We had one that cracked in the middle during a thunderstorm, not a major storm, just your normal storm in the summer. I've seen several others go by the same fate. It was popular because they grow so fast and do have a pretty shape. Just not long lasting.

[@meredithrock]

Here in SC (I’m zone 8a), there is a bounty on Bradford Pear trees. Clemson Agriculture Department will offer a free tree if you show proof you cut one down. Additionally, Bradford Pear trees are pest resistant, which although it sounds good, our bird friends rely on bugs.

[@mrsnoah78able]

Zone 7b. Bradford Pears would be my #1, as well. They start with such promise and then turn into a real pain. My #2 would be Red Tipped Photinia. They don't handle extreme weather very well; wind can wreck them, ice tears them up. When they like a space, they grow huge and quickly take over. Monkey grass has been an issue for me, as well. Now that I am not raising small children, I have more time to keep it in bounds and use it to my advantage. But it gets crazy when it is ignored. Live and learn is every gardener's motto, I guess.

[@lindahines144]

Zone 10 a we have a problem with shamrocks and oxalis they take over the lawn and the flowerbeds. I keep my mint plants in containers and try not to allow it to go over the edges or bloom.

[@juliepinion7779]

Zone 7 after digging out these things, I would add to your list: Crape Myrtles, Holly Berry, Burford Holly, & Photinia. People slam these up next to their house or concrete and the roots on all these are huge and have no problems going under your house foundation or driveway.

[@ozarkview928]

First I need an Oak leaf hydrangea! Hearing the sirens reminded me of my childhood home in Pa . We lived way out in the country but every Saturday at noon we’d hear our local fire sirens. I didn’t know that was still done anywhere . Thanks for all the information on invasive plants .

[@gardengal26]

I planted the chartreuse barberry close to 15 years ago as a security measure in front of two basement windows. It gives great color, is easy to keep trimmed, and has not become invasive. The only detractor for me is having to clean out the leaves that get stuck in it in. Due to the thorns, garden gloves and long sleeves are a must. And my very favorite tool in the garden is the dandelion tool as well! Zone 7a😊

[@davevanfunk8917]

I live in zone 10a. Years ago I bought a sweet "clover" plant in 4" container. It had clover-leaves with little brown speckles. It was cute at first with its yellow flowers, but now has taken over my yard between May and Nov. Eventually I found out it was an oxalis, a member of the sorrel family. Wish I could go back in time. Mint is invasive here, too.

[@CharlotteFairchild]

I juice mint. I have sold mint to buy groceries.

[@Contiresidence]

Hello This is Todd is South Louisiana--I made the biggest mistake planting Kimberley Fern a blank spot in my garden when my wife and I were learning. It is gorgeous and lush but took over. i had tro have the entire bed dug out 6” deep and thrown away all of the azaleas because this fern had taken over there was no way to get it out without digging out the entire beautiful established garden --- very said but had to do it… Loves the KZbin channnel

[@stephaniesharkey3538]

Bradford Pears are not liked here in the Atlanta area because of easy breakage in storms! Wisteria is a big no no - it’s all over the trees , killing them !

[@cathierose2009]

Zone 7.5. Bermuda grass. It invaded everywhere and can’t be removed. At all.

[@laraemitchell9064]

Here’s an example of good/bad plant. I always HATED Bermuda grass. Fought it tooth and nail. Then I moved to Oklahoma. It’s actually what the lawns are made of here. 😳.

[@connieparcaro7502]

Hate Bermuda! I have mine killed out professionally! Then have to replant my Kansas state blend!

[@suzannebiehle5672]

I am in zone 6b in the Hudson Valley of NYS. We have invasive wisteria that was planted probably 100 years ago. It kills everything in its path! There is also forsythia that also invasive but I love seeing their early yellow blooms this time of year. 🌼🌺🌸

[@debbielee4140]

Kerry is fabulous. Love to hear more from her about bugs!

[@annclark8573]

zone 6B in Virginia Agree with you about the hydrangea . On April 9 we had some snow again. I'm so jealous watching your garden come into its own this Spring. Our plant date here 5/15 and it always is very difficult waiting for it. Thanks for advice on what not to plant.

[@janacox9478]

5b. Never plant spiderwort. I keep pulling it out and it comes right back. It has little purple flowers with grassy leaves. It looks messy. I also have bought Creeping- Jenny for containers and it has spilled out and spread everywhere. Be careful!

[@p.h.c.1113]

Same zone as you, I have that native plant in our backyard. It does look a little messy at tiimes, but I actually like it.

[@nevawebb590]

Zone 7b, Alabama. I have spiderwort in pots under oak trees. It has "escaped" into the mulched area under the oak trees but hasn't spread much. I love the blooms.

[@butterflyj685]

Eat them!!!! Depends on your variety, all parts of several types of spiderworts are edible. We don't like the leaves. We eat the stems, flowers and don't bother with the roots or seed pods. We roast the stems the same way we prepare asparagus with bacon and hollandaise sauce. They can be eaten in the summer and doesn't bolt. Put them in pots to contain them and regulaly remove the flowers and seed pods to prevent the spread which won't happen if you harvest the stems for food.

[@Lindaastewart7015]

I have spiderwort, and like it, but it’s starting to go places I don’t want it😳

[@micheleolson9914]

I already commented under another post about my battle with a dwarf honeysuckle shrub. I live in Eastern Minnesota, zone 3/4. My bishop's sleeve and lily of the valley are in check due to heavy clay soil. I had 6 burning bush as a front hedge that have never spread, but 2 were killed by voles girdling the bases under the winter snowpack. But supposedly the burning bush are invasive near the woods, seeded by bird droppings. I've never seen them near the woods, not once. Sumac quickly spreads here, mostly along ditches and farmland. I had barberry under my bay window to deal with a peeper, sadly they died (or were killed off). Landscape lights replaced those for more security. Good topic choice, as every area has issues with invasive plants. Congratulations on the BH&G spot, what a pleasant surprise seeing you in my favorite magazine! 💜

[@deborahbavas6514]

What are you doing for Easter? Family/friends dinner? Do you buy any Easter Lily for inside? Love all the tulips coming up in your gardens! We had rain/sleet here in PA today! You and Stewart are a great team! You both are blessed!❤️

[@laraemitchell9064]

Everyone with cats, beware of lilies! Every part of a lily is extremely toxic to cats. Even a tiny amount of pollen that brushes off on their fur, if they lick it off, can kill them. (Causes kidney failure, and by the time they show symptoms it’s already too late)

[@janethurlbrink4753]

Zone 6b-Pennsylvania. Anything with “weed“ in it’s description-bishop’s weed, bugle weed. Japanese barberry, purple loosestrife.

[@suzannemichell7985]

Hello Linda I had wisteria all over my front yard at one point.... after much cutting and hacking at it I have it contained to one corner of my house.... I cut it back madly all the time and it is staying under control.... The other thing that was a problem at one point might surprise you.... something a lot of people love beautiful English ivy... when I first moved into my house I had no idea about anything... I thought it looks so lovely growing up the side of the house, until it came through the windows and I noticed it hanging down inside the house inside the dining room... not acceptable! We got a whole team of folks over and cut it down and now keep it down and let it grow up the bricks of the foundation and then cut it down to the ground every winter... once upon a time I had hydrangeas but they died and I have not replaced them... thank you so much for your tips they really do help...

[@nancyconnell8579]

Wow! Living in zone 6a Connecticut which is the namesake for lyme disease, I was unaware that barberry can harbor ticks! I'll make sure to trim our barberry back hard this season. Thanks for this information. Also learned the hard way that rose hips look beautiful and control erosion at the beach, but are too invasive for residential use, particularly near wells and septic systems.

[@Bever71]

As there are so many comments on the wild Violet, I remember reading that Tasha Tudor never weeded out the wild Violet. She had a natural style with her garden.

[@eljaykayaye1186]

I love them but they only lightly dot my side yard. They don't last long here. Zone 9.

[@suran396]

I love them! I like my garden to take care of itself!

[@suran396]

Also, I am appalled that this so-called expert didn't know violet is edible. And she has a book about edibles? Hold on, while I laugh.....

[@zhangelegreen9849]

I bought blue creeping phlox last Spring and thought it was Emerald Blue phlox. I just double checked my tag today and it turned out to be Chattahoochee woodland phlox. It grows well in six hour morning sun with afternoon shade.

[@christybaum]

Funny story about the sirens. My son told a brother in law that moved to Okc from New York that because of tornadoes….when they blow sirens on Saturday he needs to seek shelter. Lol he believed him. Thanks for this video.

[@margueriteobrien8833]

My sister gave me Mexican Petunia when i moved here in Houston (9a) now it comes up everywhere with thick runners and impossible to get rid of 😫

[@kareninhtownmitchell9191]

It’s everywhere in one of my beds…..the worst!

[@beadybugg]

Yes. I made the mistake of planting it along my fence line. Although it is very pretty when bloomed.but It's taking over my yard

[@j.m.7056]

I spent days digging it up!!! Zone 7a.

[@kathyschmidt7312]

zone 5 Jerusalem artichokes. When we bought this house there was a huge patch in the backyard. It is a relatively small yard, and it was taking up too much space. It took forever to get rid of it, because if you don't get all the edible tubers out of the ground, it will take over.

[@donnalieblick8478]

8b--I planted 3 colors of violets--which are in bloom right now and they are as welcome as can be--lovely spots and clusters of heart shaped leaves and areas of ground cover--I LOVE THEM!

[@johannad30]

I'm in zone 7a new jersey and trumpet vine is really invasive , I planted to attract Hummingbirds and a became my biggest nightmare.

[@beverley1539]

Hiya Linda, was a bit surprised you didn’t know about the violets as an edible yes in salads, sugar coated on top of cakes etc . Oh creeping Jenny, tiger lilies also anything with a tuber. However I do believe in that a plant is only invasive if it is allowed to be, and by watching & learning from yourself & others hopefully we don’t make the same mistakes. I’m in Zone 2B Ontario Canada Thankyou 🐝

[@karenpentz4160]

Top of my list is English ivy. I shudder just thinking about it

[@vbachman6742]

I struggled with english ivy for years when I bought my house. I pulled and dug and poured horticultural vinegar on what came back. That's 30 - 40% acidity versus 5% for household vinegar. Keep at it and eventually you will conquer it.

[@gingerholland6074]

I agree! It will overtake everything else.

[@carolvan664]

Lived in 2 zone 5 states. Always told theres only 1 way to get rid of English Ivy... wait for it............ MOVE!

[@sylviawarmbrod9539]

I happen to like English Ivy.

[@dulciemidwinter1925]

I live in England. Years ago I took a small cutting of some really pretty variegated ivy from my mother-in-laws house. Over the years we watched it grow and grow, lose its variagation and became a total menace. Pulling it off the wall was arduous and there were still dead suckers hanging on the wall a year later. Other disasters we had were Virginia creeper in the front of the house and a Russian Vine that helped to demolish a shed. The only way we could kill it was to hack it down and put sump oil all over the remaining roots. In my defence this all happened in my early married years. Now the only climbers I have are roses and a hardy passion fruit which I keep a watchful eye on!

[@beverlyasleson3321]

Love your too. Nothing to report on my yard in SoCal zone 10b. Only my milk weed the pods bring open and blows the seeds everywhere so I am constantly pulling out the plants as they are small.

[@marthadutton9000]

We bought our house 5 years ago, I now believe the previous owners sold because they had planted so many invasive plants. The top winner being horsetail! You are the first gardener I’ve ever heard mention it! I’ve been trying for 5 years to tame it. Other than that, I have tall pink ruella, prairie vinca, and lyre leaf sage that are insane re- seeders. Obedient plant, inland sea oats, giant golden rod, tall verbena, vinca minor…I planted Mexican feather grass, beginning to doubt that choice🤦🏻‍♀️ BTW I have no lawn, the whole property is beds! I’m in north Texas zone 8a

[@Cherrysmith2809]

Zone 11 in Hawaii, at altitude 3300 ft. I battle Tropical Ash and gorse. Tropical Ash is a pretty enough tree, but it seeds all over and grows fast. Gorse is a thorny bush with yellow flowers, very invasive, nearly impossible to eradicate except by poisoning. It has a very strong root system. You can’t weed it. It was originally brought here to feed sheep. It is all over an acre of my property. I just mow it to keep it down.

[@janiceyoung283]

I'm in zone 5 in Vermont and a terrible invasive plant in my ignorance I intentional planted was Spider Wort which had a beautiful deep purple-blue flowers and man it was all over and the roots are terrible to dig out ...... then another is wild parsnip which is worse then poison ivy !!! and very hard to get rid of

[@misskelly4405]

I live in zone 6 in the mountains of AZ. Virginia Creeper and Honeysuckle top my list.

[@cynthiaallen4161]

OMG! Thanks for the heads up. I just bought Mazus reptans. Fortunately I only bought one. The one cost me six bucks, it was in a 4.5” pot. l am ripping that out of my landscape first thing in the morning. I am already dealing with the wild violet. This was extremely helpful

[@LindaVater]

I’m so glad! It would have caused you no end of grief!

[@trishferrer8209]

7b, W. TN I love your top! For me, do NOT plant these 2 garden THUGS: Japanese Barberry and Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina), especially not in the same bed! I have a horrible mix of the two, because someone before us planted them together.

[@cltinturkey]

With lots of elbow grease and effort you CAN remove nandina that is well entrenched. I cut mine back for several years and last year dug very deep to get out the last roots and stump. That garden bed now has a fresh and open aspect and all the other plants are really thriving. Keep nandina OUT!

[@victoriabush9771]

I agree, her top is great!

[@annierampersad3982]

I'm happy with my sunflowers, roses, rosemary, aloe and my herbs in my raised beds. I remember when I started my landscaping course and wanted lots of plants not knowing anything about invasive plants. Now I know better. Thanks Linda and team as well as other home gardeners for your advice and knowledge.

[@Fabdanc]

Zone 9a (Houston), my big one is nandina. They are an aggressive understory plant that spreads via rhizomes and seeds... And their berries are toxic to birds. They are not officially banned in Texas but are considered invasive, but I still see them being sold.

[@slimgirl1712]

I am in 5a zone Illinois, and I just pulled out 3 invasive plants from my garden this past week. Lilies, wild garlic , lily of The Valley they just root wildly. While they are pretty they take over your garden and spread everywhere. Ooh, it took me years to get rid of the morning glory, also. Your outfit is gorgeous ! by the way.

[@sharronboxenbaum7392]

Zone 5- don’t plant Lillies of the Valley! They are lovely but can not be contained!!

[@michellesabatini5288]

Agree 100%!!

[@connieparcaro7502]

I've been reading the comments and just wondered if anyone would comment about lily of the valley! It smells so good, but it took over the entire flower bed under a ash tree in my backyard! And even pushed my brick wall around it!

[@gardeninggrandma5247]

In an effort to eliminate it, I've dug down 2 feet in one flower bed (zone 6b) and found it!!! I've been very very careful about NOT transplanting anything from one area of my garden to another, for fear I will unknowingly spread it in my own garden.

[@HappybyChoice]

And I can’t get them to grow at all. I’ve tried three different times.

[@kalyxo_tb]

Zone 4b - avoid Amur, Tatarian, and Norway maples. Their many, many saplings will pop up everywhere, most notably in the midst of other shrubs. The Sunset series of maples (Crimson Sunset, Norwegian Sunset, Pacific Sunset, Ruby Sunset, Urban Sunset) are hybrids that are more sterile (Norway crossed with Shandong maple) so those should be fine. Japanese tree lilac also has a similar issue; certain varieties like Snowdance are bred to have fewer or no seedheads. But no matter the zone, anything that's not native and has berries (burning bush, barberry, buckthorn, nandina, russian olive, porcelain berry) or fluffy or papery seeds (sweet autumn clematis, miscanthus grass; amur maple, siberian elm, paulownia/empress tree), has a big risk of being invasive. Birds and wind are incredible at spreading seeds. Fun fact: there are often native versions of invasive vines that will not invade and suffocate your local forest, such as Clematis virginiana and Wisteria frutescens, though they may still need plenty of space in a garden. Also, the millet in birdseed is an absolute headache to deal with, be very mindful about where you place birdfeeders and if you decide to plant birdseed.

[@LindaVater]

Great feedback!

[@monawolfe]

So true, I innocently put a bird feeder in my backyard and years later there are grasses throughout that area of my lawn that can not be eradicated even by having the lawn treated. 😩

[@susanbaker2796]

Excactly right, Norway Maple......terrible.

[@corinaklies8131]

Oh, I absolutely love wild violet. I've tried to grow it, but it never took.

[@graceandglamor]

Non-native Wisteria. I live in North Texas down 8b. Driving through Denton TX right now provides a perfect view of how invasive it is. When it’s in bloom you can see just how many trees are covered and being choked by it.

[@bengalcat7337]

My previous neighbor planted wild violets in her rock garden. New neighbor with 4 kids and no time to garden has a whole lawn of them and of course they have been a problem for us too. Very frustrating in zone 5A.

[@chines68]

Zone 6B. Just spent the whole afternoon removing wild violet from one of my gardens that is SUPPOSED to contain only strawberries. Other bullies I continue to battle include creeping Charlie, creeping jenny, mint (pick your poison--any of them). Also, I HATE barberry because of the thorns. I can't shape it or trim it without getting stuck. Lots of the invasive bushes are used as foundation plantings for new builds, because they grow quickly and get tall, like privet. Don't get me started on holly.

[@CharlotteFairchild]

My holly tree behaves. It has bees buzzing.

[@TheSimpleRomantic]

Funny cuz I love Hollie’s here in zone 9B Not very prolific though

[@kittenkorleone2918]

The only one who could help me with violets was a lawn company. They still haven't eradicated it but it is controlled now. Awful awful plant.

[@1Thedairy]

@@kittenkorleone2918I live in the UK and I have wild violets in my garden which seem to love growing along slide my pathways. They look so beautiful that I haven’t the heart to pull them up so I just control them. They are very valuable to wildlife too.

[@kittenkorleone2918]

@@1Thedairy Can you tell me what you're doing to control them?

[@jennyfisher2289]

Zone 5A in western Nebraska. Every year I’m pulling up yarrow, golden rod, wild violets, purple bell flower and morning glories. Also holly hocks from unwanted areas.

[@Robinicat]

I live in zone 5 (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) and the wild violets came in on a load of earth. I thought I was doing good for my front lawn by topping it up with fresh garden soil but it was loaded with wild violet seeds and my front lawn ended up being 75% wild violets. The gardening company claimed that birds brought them in...but my lawn is the only one on the street covered in 'pretty' purple violets. It is so bad I am having the lawn replaced in a few weeks.

[@bethgaither1214]

Leyland Cypress. They grow 1 foot + per year which sounds wonderful if you want a quick fix for a hedge to create a privacy fence. But they get out of control very quickly and they are prone to disease. I am seeing them being cut down in neighborhood and replaced by something else all over here. Zone 7b, NC.

[@amygamblin318]

I had to laugh, we have a similar siren here in my hometown. When my dogs heard your siren, my little dachshund started barking and running to the front door, looking outside.

[@chrispolette8443]

6B Missouri Bradford Pears , they are doing a local buy back event to get people to cut down their Bradford Pear trees! Also, wild honeysuckle has been a real problem for a while. They also have listed the Burning bush and Wintercreeper as invasive plants. Thank you for your informative and fun videos! Oh, and your beautiful book is suppose to arrive tomorrow! Woohoo!

[@cherigreen4471]

I just moved to SC 8a ten months ago and I just dug up liriope as well at my new house. I was formerly in NE Ohio 6a and I had two things I will never plant again, grape hyacinth are awful they have bulblets under ground and seed heads on top. It took me years to get them under control! Another plant is Ostrich ferns. They have rhizomes that look like black cable. I went outside one winter and ripped, dug, and pulled them all up or so I thought! In the spring they came back like I never touched them! Grrrr! 🤣

[@lavernesummers859]

Zone 7 Mexican sombrero, morning glory, English Ivy, ferns...

[@margaretfrise8047]

I adore my oakleaf hydrangeas, have had them for 12 years now. Our weather in Southeastern Ontario goes through quite a range but I never have any issue with flowers. I detest my barberries, no matter what gloves I use when trimming them and picking up branches I always end up having to dig prickles out of my hands. I also regret goutweed, English ivy and Lily of the Valley.

[@LindaVater]

Great info!

[@RichardPallardy]

In Chicago, there's a really degraded forest preserve. The entire understory is barberry. And the place is absolutely swarming with ticks. From what I've heard, something about the branch/leaf arrangement is appealing to them.

[@deebutler2283]

Houston, Texas Zone 9B Wisteria was the first one that came to mind. I inherited it with the house and it’s taken 5 years to get it somewhat under control. Yaupon Holly…still battling it 😖 I did plant wild violets and they come up everywhere but they’re so pretty Oxalis…it will never go away so I’ve learned to live with 😂

[@lustraveller717]

Oxalis IS a weed here in 10a (San Francisco Bay area). I'm constantly pulling them and there's absolutely no way to get rid of them.

[@bluebirdhomestead]

your box wood hedges are looking beautiful 😍 Sounds like such a fun class to take too, I am all about continually learning.

[@BrightestBlessings7899]

In my area of zone 5b-6a, mint, chives, oregano, and thyme are all invasive but all useful.

[@DaisyMaeMoses]

Thyme is in the mint family. That is why it is so invasive. However, I love wooley thyme, mother of thyme, elfin thyme, and pink chintz. I have them growing in a rock garden and they are beautiful. So very small. They hate a lot of water so if you want to get rid of them, just over water them and they will die.

[@jennysanders5804]

I live in Portland, Oregon, Zone 8b. The Spanish Bluebells are quite difficult to get rid of, and they seem to multiply each year. I do my best to get them out by the bulb, but they can be challenging!

[@sherry2836]

Zone 6b - Ajuga, woodruff and morning glory. I cleared the morning glory with vinegar treatments but the woodruff is a little demon in a flower garden; a constant battle every year.

[@Robinicat]

I am in zone 6 and ajuga is horrible! It is pretty in purple bloom...but then it spreads into the lawn and pops up in beds everywhere. I have been battling and pulling it up for several years....but it is definitely winning!

[@alicedent8864]

I live in 7a zone. I unfortunately planted wild marigold in my lawn that was given to me when I moved into my house over 40 years. I was a very novice gardener. I’m still pulling it out. One of my neighbors planted sedum ground cover many years ago. She has moved, and so has the sedum into my garden. Liriope is very invasive, also Lysimachia!

[@serometate1031]

I also did the wild marigolds and pulled it all up last year and I see it coming up again in bits n pieces…6b

[@karencrane6325]

Oh Liriopi! That stuff is horrible!

[@d.wilbur5164]

I had no idea what the name was for poa annua. I have it in my gravel, which pulls up dirt with it. What a pain. Around Atlanta, I hate to see wisteria. It's trying to take over in my trees along my fence line from my neighbor's property. Neither of us planted it. In some areas, I use a saw to cut the vines. HATE IT!!!!! I like your weeding tool. I'm going to look for one like that and give it a try.

[@maryeliason1504]

I have wild violets as well. But our summers average 105 so the heat takes care of them then. Go online with an expert on bamboo if you really want it. There ARE ways to control them by variety & mechanically. My friend planted chives in her yard that she had planted in bearded iris. She had to have do much of it dug up. It almost looked like grass.

[@nitzvlog887]

I love the way you plant and clear the weeds out.

[@jerimiller5452]

Zone 6B in NE Oklahoma. Another plant that can be pretty and I've seen in the nurseries is Trumpet vine. It is native but is a Noxious weed. I had a really bad skin allergy reaction. It seems to be spreading with much abandon and please don't plant it on purpose. Thanks Linda.

[@rouseinthehouse_]

In Kansas, and I completely agree.

[@theteenagegardener]

I am in Zone 6b, in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, and I would never plant honeysuckle. It grows everywhere in our area, especially as an understory shrub under larger trees. It is very easy to identify, as it leafs-out much earlier than anything else in early-mid Spring. We also have Japanese Honeysuckle in our area, with vines that will grow up trees. They are also incredibly invasive. Long story short, do not plant ANY kind of honeysuckle!

[@annak804]

At least the regular honeysuckle is native and feeds pollinators and birds.

[@janwoodward7360]

North central WV here and you are right about the honeysuckles…both shrub and vine. They are invasive and not native here. They were brought in with good intentions, much like multi-flora roses and those pestilence trees…the Bradford pears. Those are spreading along the interstates and dropping limbs and trash in unfortunate places. We can grow a wide variety of plants here in our zone, so it’s fairly easy to find substitutes.

[@nickyonstilts128]

I planted Hall's honeysuckle to cover up an ugly juniper hedge at my house. It is just covered with yellow & white blossoms now and smells wonderful. Also blooming way early this year but all the plants seem to be doing that here in Northern CA. But I will admit the honeysuckle keeps encroaching on my Meyer lemon bushes and I have to cut it back .

[@maryhagee1951]

You should look at lonicera sempervirens (coral honeysuckle). I'm in southwest VA and it's native to my area.

[@micheleolson9914]

I hear you! I'm in Minnesota, zone 3/4, and a dwarf honeysuckle I planted over 20 years ago was content and contained in one spot in a kidney shaped rock garden, covered in two layers of 30yr professional landscape fabric. The only new shoots we saw were past the edge in the grass, easily mowed. Then about 6 years ago, it decided to spread via rhizomes into every other space in that garden, although the rhizomes probably already spread, they just made their appearance yrs later. I have to pull it out in sections after heavy rains, but the rhizomes are thick and crisscross everywhere underneath. I would never, ever plant it again.

[@carolkafer4739]

7A in NJ Rose of Sharon. I don’t know who originally planted but nearly everyone in my neighborhood has them. Every Autumn I am pulling out babes in my bushes.

[@jager896]

I just love rose of Sharon I love the yellow flowers and they last a long time we also have a Sharon in our congregation

[@LinA-it9vd]

I find it amazing that people think plants won’t spread. I pull or dig them back twice a year and no problem. I love obedient plant and have no issues at all but wild violet is another story along with pipe vine.

[@marlenee7035]

Unknowingly bought Purple Loosestrife 20 years ago from a garden center. Main plant is long gone, but I am still battling the shoots coming up EVERYWHERE in my garden.