Invasives List

In his series on invasive plants, C. Colston Burrell discusses many plants that can take over the landscape. Here he provides two lists of additional plants to be wary of. Remember that plants considered invasive in one area of the country may be safe to grow in other areas. Check with your local extension service for regionally specific lists.

Plants Grown As Ornamentals That Are Invasive

Acer platanoides

Ailanthus altissima

Cotoneaster species

Euonymus fortunei

Euphorbia cyparissias, dulcis ‘Chameleon’

Fallopia japonica (Polygonum cuspidatum)

Ligustrum species

Lonicera japonica

Melilotus species

Lysimachia nummularia

Pinellia species

Populus alba

Salix species

Sapium sebiferum

Tamarix species

Ulmus pumila

Vinca minor

Plants to Watch

This list includes species that exhibit those traits shared by a number of invasive species. While they may not be invasive in all regions of the country, they bear careful observation and reporting. For information on evaluating the invasive potential of ornamental plants, Sarah Reichard, University of Washington, has developed guidelines. For a copy of the guidelines, see Reichard, S. 1999. A Method for Evaluating Plant Invasiveness. The Public Garden 14(2):19-21.

Angelica gigas

Aralia cordata, continentalis

Cardamine pratensis and others

Cestrum parqui

Geranium x oxonianum and others

Mahonia species

Persicaria (Polygonum) species

Petasites japonicus

Ribes sanguineum