Managing Invasive Plants
Buckthorn, honeysuckle and Tree of Heaven are just a few of the landscape plants that have left the garden and invaded our natural spaces.
These aggressive plants outcompete and crowd out our native plants, destroying the food and habitat needed by wildlife. They also invade our gardens, crowding out desirable plants.
Many gardeners are reluctant to remove them as they provide privacy or screen a bad view. Plant a garden or hedge to take its place and get busy removing these invaders.
Pull or dig small seedlings as soon as they appear. Or remove a 6 inch strip of bark around the base of the plant.
You can also cut the plant to the ground in fall and treat the stump with a brush killer recommended for this purpose. Or paint the bottom 12 inches of the trunk with a brush killer. This prevents the roots from re-sprouting.
As always read and follow label directions carefully.
A bit more information: Aggressive plants, unlike invasive plants, crowd out their neighboring plants, but do not leave the bounds of the landscape. Avoid aggressive plants, if space and time are limited. Or limit aggressive plants spread by growing them in small contained beds or containers. And do not plant invasive plants that will take you years to eliminate in your yard and nearby natural areas. For a list of the more common invasive plants, click here.
Related
Audio
Video
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
April 26, 2025
Organic Gardening Basics
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 3, 2025
Low-Maintenance Gardening
Merton, WI
Register here
May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here
May 10, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 11, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
May 17, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 18, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
June 8, 2025
Selecting the Right Hydrangea
for Your Landscape
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
June 14, 2025
Houseplants 101
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
June 20, 2025 (event 6/20-6/22)
Pollinator Celebration
Vino in the Valley
Maiden Rock, WI
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More
Book an Appearance
