According to the USDA National Invasive Species Center, a plant earns the label of "invasive" when it is non-native to a region and it causes or may cause environmental, economic, or health issues. Unfortunately, many invasive plants have escaped from gardens into natural ecosystems such as woodlands, prairies, and mountain wilderness. There, they spread and push out native plants and other wildlife, and can become a huge headache in your own garden.
The semiarid climate of the Mountain West and High Plains brings plenty of challenges when it comes to invasive species. Mike Kintgen, curator of alpine collections at Denver Botanic Gardens, says that several of the top 10 worst invasive plants in this region may not be problematic in other regions. He's also seen the opposite, where invasives in other regions don't spread as aggressively in the harsher climate in the mountains and plains.
What do you find in your garden that grows and spreads like a weed but you consider it invasive as opposed to welcome in your yard?
Article credit: Better Homes and Gardens
Flower shown in image: purple bellflower
The semiarid climate of the Mountain West and High Plains brings plenty of challenges when it comes to invasive species. Mike Kintgen, curator of alpine collections at Denver Botanic Gardens, says that several of the top 10 worst invasive plants in this region may not be problematic in other regions. He's also seen the opposite, where invasives in other regions don't spread as aggressively in the harsher climate in the mountains and plains.
- Buckthorn (Rhamnus carthartica)
- Butter and eggs (Linaria vulgaris)
- Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
- Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites)
- Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
- Rover bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides)
- Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
- Tamarisk (Tamarix chinensis and T. parviflora)
- Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
- Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus)
What do you find in your garden that grows and spreads like a weed but you consider it invasive as opposed to welcome in your yard?
Article credit: Better Homes and Gardens
Flower shown in image: purple bellflower