Before these invasive flowers run amok in your garden, learn how to spot them and discover what flowers you can grow instead.
Avoid Growing These Invasive Flowers
It’s hard to fault a plant for growing and spreading (that’s what plants do, after all!), but invasive flowers are another story. Nothing strikes more fear in a gardener’s heart than discovering that the gorgeous plant they incorporated into their landscape last year is now taking over and refuses to be evicted. Not only will these aggressive plants crowd out the rest of your garden and spoil what you’ve worked so hard on, they can have devastating effects on local wildlife.
Besides the six invasive flowers listed below, you should also avoid planting wildflower seed mixes, which can include harmful plant species. If you’re not sure if a new-to-you flower is invasive or not, go online.
The Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States (invasiveplantatlas.org) and the United States Department of Agriculture Plant Database (plants.usda.gov) are two good options for invasive flower research. Or check to see if you have a local master gardener program or botanical chapter in your area.
Check out the worst invasive plants you should never grow.
Baby’s Breath
Gypsophila paniculata
Although it has a cute name and delicately white flowers that bloom in loose clusters in July and August, baby’s breath is a perennial herb originally from Eastern Europe and considered invasive. During wedding season, you’ll find it in plenty of bouquets and corsages. It’s a popular filler flower in ornamental gardens.
Baby’s breath isn’t always a problem, but it’s particularly invasive in sandy dunes along the Great Lakes where it stabilizes the soil and prevents native plants, like pitcher’s thistle, from gaining a foothold. A single baby’s breath plant can spread 14,000 seeds!
Instead Try: Heath aster or flowering spurge
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Source: birdsandblooms.com
