Shown in photo: Lily-of-the-valley
Sometimes perennials can be troublesome in the garden
The list of perennials below may be pretty to look at, but they all have a dark side, whether that is reseeding so prolifically that they harm the greater environment, or they multiply through suckering underground and are extremely difficult to eradicate.
Before planting any of the following, take heed - you may regret the decision (and the rest of your garden and your neighbors' gardens might too):
Before planting any of the following, take heed - you may regret the decision (and the rest of your garden and your neighbors' gardens might too):
- Lily-of-the-valley: spreads like crazy, choking out nearby plants
- Perennial Bachelor's Button: hyper-reseeding nature. The first year you have one clump and the next year you have 15 or more. Also known as mountain bluet, basket flower, or corn flower.
- Chameleon Plant: dazzling to look at but a vigorous spreader through tenacious roots
- False Sunflower: spreads aggressively underground and forms large colonies of plants, tough to get rid of
- Purple Loosestrife: listed as a noxious weed in many states and outright banned in others - it quickly crowds out native species and overtakes
- Mint: regenerates from the smallest bits of roots and it has a LOT of roots. Also, if allowed to flower, it reseeds prolifically. Most gardeners know that once you have it in the ground it is extremely difficult to get rid of or even control to a confined space. Plant only in pots to control the spread.