Invasive Plants
by Howard Garrett
The USDA has some really good information on invasive and noxious plants. Here's the web site for the information on Texas plants: Texas State-listed Noxious Weeds
There are some interesting omissions. Some of the most invasive plants here are privet, greenbriar, Japanese honeysuckle and poison ivy. When I consult on landscape projects, these are the plants are removed first thing. Kudzu isn't even mentioned in these lists. Here is the national list: Federal Noxious Weeds
The bad plants aren't on it either. Boy, what does a plant have to do to get in trouble with the feds? On the other hand, I don’t recommend the removal of mesquite. Large individual trees aren't a problem. Short multi-stemmed bushy ones are a problem. They are created by foolishly trying to kill the large, single stem trees.
The most invasive plants in my yard are houttuynia, cashmere bouquet, rice paper plant and wild strawberry. I can't avoid the admission that I planted all these plants and at one time thought that using them was a grand idea. We DO continue to learn.
Privet
Published in DIRT 2006
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