When it comes to gardening, there’s a lot of joy to be found in watching your plants grow and flourish over time. Perennials, plants that live for more than two years, are often favored for their longevity and the fact that they come back year after year. However, not all perennials are created equal.
Some can turn out to be more trouble than they’re worth, requiring more maintenance, being prone to disease, or simply not delivering the aesthetic appeal you were hoping for.
1. Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vines might seem appealing with their vigorous growth and beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers. However, these plants can be incredibly invasive, spreading rapidly and taking over your garden.
In addition to their invasive nature, trumpet vines are also known for their hardiness, making them difficult to get rid of once they’ve taken root. They can climb trees, fences, and other structures, potentially causing damage. Plus, despite their stunning flowers, they can actually deter some beneficial insects from your garden.
2. English Ivy
English ivy, with its lush, trailing vines, can quickly transform a space into a verdant paradise. However, this plant is not always the best choice for a low-maintenance garden.
English ivy is incredibly invasive and can quickly spread, overtaking other plants and even damaging buildings and trees. It is also prone to pests such as aphids and spider mites. Additionally, in some regions, it’s considered an invasive species and its planting is discouraged or even illegal.
3. Bishop’s Weed
Bishop’s weed, also known as goutweed, is a fast-growing ground cover that can quickly fill in bare spots in your garden. However, this plant can be difficult to control and can easily overtake your garden if not managed properly.
This plant spreads via underground rhizomes, meaning it can rapidly take over large areas of your garden. It can also be difficult to eradicate, as any leftover root fragments can lead to new growth. Bishop’s weed is also resistant to many common herbicides, making it even more challenging to control.
4. Bamboo
Bamboo can create a beautiful, exotic look in your garden and provide excellent privacy. However, many species of bamboo are incredibly invasive and can take over your garden—and your neighbor’s if you’re not careful.
Bamboo spreads through its root system, and it can grow at a surprisingly fast rate. This growth can be difficult to control, and removing bamboo once it’s established can be a daunting task requiring professional help. Moreover, some species of bamboo can grow up to 30 feet tall, which may not be ideal for all gardens.
5. Morning Glory
Morning glory vines are known for their beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom early in the day. However, these plants can quickly become more trouble than they’re worth.
Morning glories propagate quickly and can take over a garden in a short period. They’re also resistant to many common herbicides, making them difficult to control once they’ve spread. Additionally, they can choke out other plants and are classified as an invasive species in many areas.
6. Butterfly Bush
The butterfly bush is a popular choice for many gardeners due to its stunning flowers and ability to attract butterflies. However, this plant can cause more trouble than it’s worth.
It’s considered an invasive species in many areas due to its rapid growth and ability to crowd out native plants. Moreover, while it does attract butterflies, it does not provide a good food source for butterfly larvae, which can actually harm local butterfly populations.
7. Tansy
Tansy is a perennial with attractive, fern-like foliage and bright yellow flowers. However, this plant can quickly become invasive and can be toxic to both humans and animals if ingested.
Tansy spreads rapidly via seeds and underground rhizomes, making it difficult to control. Plus, it can be toxic if ingested, and even touching the plant can cause skin irritation in some people. It’s also resistant to many common herbicides, so removing it can be a challenge.
8. Lily-of-the-Valley
Lily-of-the-valley is often loved for its sweetly-scented, bell-shaped flowers. However, this ground cover can spread rapidly and become invasive.
Beyond its invasive nature, all parts of the plant are also poisonous if ingested. This can pose a risk to pets and children. Additionally, it can be difficult to remove, as it spreads via underground rhizomes and can regenerate from small root fragments.
9. Mint
Mint can be a great plant to have in your garden for its aroma and culinary uses. However, it’s known for its invasive nature and can quickly take over your garden if not contained.
The plant spreads via stolons (runners) and can quickly cover large areas. It’s also quite resilient, making it difficult to eradicate once it’s spread. To prevent this, it’s recommended to grow mint in a container, rather than in the ground.
10. Oxalis
Oxalis, or wood sorrel, is a common perennial weed that can become a real nuisance in your garden.
With its clover-like leaves and pretty yellow flowers, you might be fooled into thinking this plant is harmless. However, it spreads rapidly both by seed and through small bulbs, or “bulbils”, that form on its roots. Once established, it can be very difficult to eradicate, as these bulbils can easily be left behind when weeding.
11. Japanese Knotweed
Japanese knotweed is a large, herbaceous perennial that, while initially attractive, can become a major headache for gardeners.
Despite its bamboo-like appearance and lovely sprays of white flowers, Japanese knotweed is extremely invasive and can cause significant damage to buildings and hard structures. It’s even been known to grow through concrete! Its roots can spread up to 7 meters horizontally and 3 meters deep, making it very hard to eradicate.
12. Wild Violet
Wild violets are charming, but they can become a nuisance in your lawn or garden due to their vigorous growth.
These plants spread via underground rhizomes and can form large colonies. They’re also quite resilient and can tolerate a variety of conditions, making them difficult to control. Additionally, they can harbor diseases that affect other plants, such as crown and root rot.
14. Bindweed
Bindweed, with its pretty trumpet-shaped flowers, can easily be mistaken for a harmless plant. However, this vine can quickly become a nightmare for gardeners.
Bindweed is incredibly invasive and can choke out other plants in your garden. It spreads both by seed and through its extensive root system, which can reach depths of up to 20 feet, making it extremely difficult to eradicate.
15. Horsetail
Horsetail is a unique-looking plant that can add interest to your garden, but it’s also one of the most invasive plants out there.
This plant spreads aggressively through its deep root system and can quickly take over your garden. It’s also extremely hardy and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, making it very difficult to control. Plus, it’s resistant to many common herbicides.
16. Canada Thistle
Canada thistle might look harmless with its purple flowers, but this plant is one of the most difficult weeds to control.
The plant spreads via wind-dispersed seeds and an extensive root system. Even a small fragment of root can generate a new plant, making it very hard to eradicate. Its spiny leaves can also make it unpleasant to handle.
17. Buckthorn
Lastly, buckthorn is a shrub that can quickly become more trouble than it’s worth.
While it might seem appealing for its ability to provide privacy and attract wildlife, buckthorn can quickly become invasive. It produces a large number of seeds that are easily dispersed by birds. Plus, it’s hard to remove due to its deep root system and the thorns that give this plant its name. In many areas, it’s considered a noxious weed due to its impact on native ecosystems.
In conclusion, while perennials can bring beauty and continuity to your garden, it’s important to choose wisely. The plants on this list may promise quick growth and instant gratification, but they can quickly become more trouble than they’re worth. Always do your research and consider the long-term impact when choosing plants for your garden.