Pass Up These Invasive Plants

erin conant

These non-native plants have the frightening ability to infest and destroy entire ecosystems in a short period of time.

Here are a few examples of pushy plants to avoid:

  • Chinese Tallowtree (Sapium sebifera) – This tree is liked for its unique, heart-shaped leaves, fast growth and lovely fall color. However, the seeds choke riverbanks, pastures and ditches with seedlings as they’re spread by wind and rain.
  • Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) – I know it smells lovely and blooms all summer, but it’s aggressive! This plant overpowers native plants as its woody vines spread and take root.
  • Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) – Bamboo seems like a simple solution for creating a quick privacy screen within a landscape, but it almost always gets out of hand, becoming nearly impossible to control. So unless you’re aiming to contribute to the fishing pole industry, don’t plant it!

These are just three plants to avoid. Learn about the dozens of other invasive species Texas doesn’t welcome and find out what you can do to help stop the spread.

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