Invasive And Aggressive Plants Are Not The Same

When I first came to Astolat, twenty-plus years ago, I was enchanted with the pretty white flowers that filled the old orchard with blooms and delicate scent in late spring. HH called them 'sticker bushes' and I soon learned that the thorns of these shrubs give them a nasty bite. The shrub is, of course, Multiflora Rose (Rosa Multiflora), a very invasive plant.

We have white and pink ones.

How can something so delectable be so objectionable?

When HH decided to clean out the overgrown orchard and make it into our Woodland Walk, he had a mammoth task ahead. The multiflora rose is not the only invasive plant in there: Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii), and Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera Maackii) also abound. He pulled them out and cut them back ... to say it was hard work is an understatement. It was impossible to eliminate all of them, but they are somewhat under control. He created pathways. A bridge and arbor lead you there. 

We allow the Multiflora rose to cover the arbor at the entrance.

Invasive and aggressive plants are not the same. Aggressive plants, like mint and dandelions, are very fast growing and spreading, but they do not have the ability to compete with and outgrow surrounding plants as invasives do. One of the worst invasive plants is Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria) which is so invasive its rampant growth threatens wildlife and wetlands throughout the country. It chokes out native plants that are integral parts of natural ecosystems. Thank goodness it does not grow on our land! The ones we have are bad enough.

Barberry is prevalent throughout the Woodland Walk.

(photo by Fine Gardening magazine)

Bush Honeysuckle and Russian Olive grow side by side in the Woodland garden.

 Russian Olive blossoms

Bush Honeysuckle

Plants that are considered invasive in one area may not pose a threat in another region of the country. Gardeners need to research what plants pose a problem in their region and avoid buying and growing them. An article in Fine Gardening magazine gives a useful list of plants to avoid. Click here to read the article. The U.S. Arboretum website provides very useful information, also.  If you have any questions you can speak with experts at nature preserves, botanical gardens, and extension services.

I must stress that none of the invasive plants in our woodland garden were planted by us! We are great advocates of native plants.

Your friend in gardening,
Pam x

PS Ruth at Muscari Musings has written an excellent post on Rose Rosette Disease. Click here to read what she says.

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